Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-02-17

without a good foundat no man
would expect TO build anything OF great
value. The health and strength of "A
flock of poultry depend very largely upon
its foundation In breeding or selecting
the stock from which to build up flock
the greatest care should be taken to start
your strain from line of ancestors which
have been physically perfect and free
from illness of any kind. Like breeds
like, and with strong ancestors there IL
no difficulty in raising a flock Of strong
Young birds. Filth breeds disease. and
sary even from the time the hen is set
or the incubator is started.
If one s buying his foundation stock
whether young birds or old ones. it is
wise to be pretty sure there are no germs
of disease lurking near, and great care
should be used in making your selection
If all is clean about the place where the
birds YOU are looking at are kept. the
chances arc that it is good place to
buy; but if there are signs of filth every
where II is better to be cautious. for where
there is filth there is pretty sure to be
disease
Disease germs do not often penetrate
the oviduct and fresh laid egg is usual
~ free from them though germs may be
acquired under hen in very short
time. Eggs rubbed with dampened
cloth dipped in alcohol will be absolutely
free from germs. and if then placed in a
clean incubator or in clean nest under
a hen that is free from lice and mites will
hatch chicks that are free from disea Sc
of any kind for inherited diseases are
rare and can be absolutely avoided by
never using for breeding purposes hens
that have ever shown signs of sickness
FEEDING GOVERNS FUTURE. CONDI-
TIONS.
In the first days of the chicks life. even
If they have been Matched under the per-
feet conditions JUS, described. there are
two great dangers-that they will be over
fed. and that they will become chilled
either Of which is likely to prove disas-
trous. Although overfeeding is not as
dangerous as chilling, either is likely to
lead quickly to white diarrhoea. and the
two conditions combined is likely to re-
suit fatally to the entire flock or at least
the greater part of 1t. But this does not
make it necessary to keep the little birds
too warm or to starVe them; there il a
happy medium both az the feeding and
protecting them from cold which Is not
difficult to reach If one uses Judgment
and care. a little food often, removed be-
fore it can become filthy or sour. water
50 arranged that they cannot get into it
and scatter 1t about. getting il on them
selves or the litter; coarse sand or fine
grit for the digestive organs a uniform
temperature Of 20 degrees or thereabouts
and the little fellows have all they need
10 make them thrive and grow.
1t is not the purpose of this article to
deal with the feeding OF poultry. but 1t
may be said that proper feeding is of the
utmost Importance, This means that the
| birds should at all times have balanced
ration suited to their age and condition
With Young chickens in particular II is
necessary that they have everything they
need and nothing more. for they will often
eat all they can get, whether they need
1t or not, 1t is quite important that al,
food. either animal or vegeta BILE which
has soured or become putrid. be ken,
away from them. and, indeed from hens
at all ages-or disastrous results are quite