Milford chronicle., 1916-06-30
THE CARE OF OLD FOWLS
DURING The SUMMER
By J. H. McFAUL, Jr.
(.4H RiRhks Rese1VeM

: younger birds. and above all things, d,
not expect them to continue to produc,
in summer as they did during the perioC
you were pushing them hard for a bis
egg yield. The old birds during thi.
period, while they should have extrs
good treatment, will not require as
much food as when engaged in egg lay.
I ing. Cut down the rations to two feed
! ings a day and eliminate all corn during
the hot weather. This only serves to
fatten them and heat the body. By
feeding corn to inactive birds. you only
make them overfat, and in this condi-
tion, they become sluggish and are more
susceptible to disease. The animal food
| should also be reduced to a little less
than ten per cent. during this season of
the year. Green food, however. should
not be withheld as it is highly important
at this time, as well as during other
seasons of the year. If allowed a por-
tiOn of the grass range, the birds can
supply themselves with what green food
they might require, but if it is impossi-
bic to let them have a grass range. then
by all means supply green food in the
form of cabbage, lawn clippings and the
like.
Another thing often forgotten, with
respect to the old birds, is the drinking
water. These birds need fresh water
constantly, as do the younger birds.
Much depends upon the drinking water
as to how healthy the fowls will keep.
Water placed out in the sun is not fit
for them to drink after a very little
while, and for that reason, it should be
kept in the shade. Even then, it should
be changed several times during the
day.
Again, it should be remembered that
no drinking vessel should ever be refilled
without first being washed
One of the most common causes of
trouble to the old hens, as we'll as the !
young chicks, is that of lice, and to !
these might be added the little red mites. |
The summer months, from June to Sep |
tember, are above all others the time |
of the year when this form of pests take |
on their worst aspect. Lice are bad |
enough all during the year, and one is
kept busy holding them in check, but
during this period extra efforts are nee
essary if you hope to cope with the
parasites and prevent them from max
ing inroads upon your flock.
Old hens are no more immune from /
their attacts than are the youngsters, II
unless you do your part. During these
months the weather is exceptionally Il
warm. which is favorable for their null II
-iplication. The birds are Kindred by
their lack of vitality to fight the lice
that is, by simply busting
themselves. 1t remains, then, for you
% take a hand and insist them in rid
ling their bodies of this deadly parasite.
70 after them as you would at any other
ime of the year, and in addition, pro-
tide a good dust bath that the hens may
ssist in the operation.
If you neglect to properly care for the
lder birds during the hot weather they
oon become weakened by various all
nents, and when once in this condition,
he lice will multiply rapidly and oper-
tie against them during the day, while
uring the night, the red mites will sap
p their life blood. The result is that
he hen gets it both going and coming :
nd she will soon become thing of the
asst unless you decide to take a hand in
heir determination.
These are some of the conditions
7hich usually surround the older birds.
nd they are almost invariably due to
he neglect of the breeder for the g,
In closing, | wish to call
our attention to this fact-if you would
ttain snccess in raising poultry, it is
ecessary to give attention to ALL the 9
etails necessary for the health and =
)mfort of the old birds, as well as the !,
If this is done, YOU will be =
etter pleased with your flocks and the =
lsiness. >