Milford chronicle., 1915-04-02

The great question OF producing winte
layers is being constantly discussed amonj
all classes of poultrymen, from the larg
breeder who has as his aim the furnishing
of commercial eggs, to the small back 10
breeder within the confines of the citJ
who raises only few fowls from which
he hopes to supply his family with egg
and meat.
Both classes Of breeders have come t.
realize that in order to make their fowl
pay them profit they must of necessity
get eggs during the winter, or cold months
when this product is to be had only at 6
premium.
InOrder to successfully raise winter lay.
eIs one must acquaint himself with the
characteristics OF the different breeds oi
fowls, the laying periods of which differ
very materially. OF course, it is known
fact that any old fowl will lay in the spring
or early summer.
There are some breeds which under
favorable conditions, having been raised
right, will start laying when they reach
the age OF five months Others will run
to six months before they will begin Op-
erations in this direction, and there are
stiil others that 90 to seven and even nine
months before prOducing--and under fa-
vOrable conditions at that. When once
the characistcs of particular breed are
known, as to its laying period, it then
becomes easy to raise winter layers from
that breed
While most pOultrymen aim to get
their matches out during March and April,
iu order to get winter laying stock, yet
good winter layers can be produced even
as late as June This is especially true
of the smaller varieties of fowls such as
the LeghOrns, AHdalusians, AncOnas and
fowls that will produce winter layers from
late matches, as they, like the others men,
toned, will become fully developed in
time to produce winter eggs when hatched
as late as June.
Owing to the extreme mildness of the
winter just passing out, most poultrymen
will be able to get the large part of their
future stock Matched cut comparatively
early, thus getting a better start than was
the case last year, owing to the continued
spell of wet and damp weather which
pre-, allied.
But, while it is possible to hatch out
birds as late as June for the next winter
laying stock, it would be advisable not to
wait but take advantage of the present
weather and start the youngsters on the
road TO maturity as soon as possible.
Just now is a good time to get out the
youngsters that will make up your flock
of next winters layers. With hens to
brood the chicks and with a sunny ex
posure and protection against the chilly
night air, they need but little more at
tention than those which may be Matched
later.
By no means give the youngsters any
wet food until they are five weeks old,
but even better still, don't give them this
form of food at ALI Feed a dry mash in
preference to a wet one and thus avoid
many troubles. Keep the mother hen
confined in the brood coop for at least |
one week after the chicks have been given |
to her, but allow the little ones to roam |
over grass range. Never iberate the |
chicks, however, until the dew is off the !
grass in the morning
Keep the chicks from the mother until |
after they are Thirty six hours old, in
order that they may take no food during
this period. when given to the hen they
should be fed four OFtive times daily for
the first week or 10 days, when the rations
may be cut down to three times day.
This number Of feelings should be con.
inued until the birds are matured
From the very start, and all during the
,rowiDg stage, the birds should be kept
rec OF lice, and their cOops thoroughly
zone over regularly and disinfected to
Ieep down mites. 1t is impossible to
row chicks and lice at one and the same
ime Que or the other must die. so let q
be the lice chicks are more Profitable ,
See that their quarters are kept clean (
nd sanitary at all times, and watch the I
lock carefully for any signs of disease or
ickness of any nature Shou d any de III
elop, seperate the affected birds and ap J
ly a remedy at once. II YOU do not e
now what ails them, or what to do, Just 4
rite Us few words in care of this paper a
Just as soon as as it is possible, the ii
1eksrels should be separated from the n
ullets. Pullets should be kept growing h
)ntinually from their babyhood, and if
lowed to lag in this respect they will f.
Ut, nor can they be expected to, mature ii
} the allotted time and begin laying ci
Never lose sight of the fact that for the =,
est results with your birds il is isabsolutely a,
ecessarv that You keep cracked oyster ii
lells. charcoal and good sharp grit be ii
re them all the time Fowls cannot do
leir best without them then too, they
ust have them to keep in the best of :,
salth. OF
Exercise is also essential to the health 81
I'd vigor OF the fowls, and in order to y
pply this needy pastime for the birds. u
scratchin shed should be provided in 81
hich is placed good litter of straw or u
me other like material which should be Ie
'out 10 or l2 inches deep. All grain U
tions should be thrown into this litter =
ID the fowls made to scratch it out, thus su
exercise.
See that the birds are not housed in a bI
1se, stuffy, damp coop as there is moth VI
9 which will breed diseases so rapidly Ike
this condition. Don't be afraid that
e fowls will get little fresh air, but hs
member, there is vast difference be BI
cen fresh air and drafts. Avoid the tn
ter by all means. vi
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