Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-09-03
Pointers for PouItrymen.

Marketing eggs and poultry must be
done systematically or it Is more than
likely to be done at a loss Lack Of sys-
TEN and improper methods in market
ing are responsible for just about as
many poultry failures as any other fac
tor of the business. Money is to be
made in the business OF supplying fresh
eggs and home dressed fowls to a list
of select customers, but it cannot be
made If slipshod methods of marketing
are followed; there is no getting around
that 1nefhciency and lack of system
are penalized as severely in the bust
ness of marketing poultry products as
in any other line of merchandising; the
mere fact that poultryman, because
he employs poor bookkeeping methods
or none at all. doesn't know how much
he is making or losing. doesn't alter the
fundamental fact in the least
AS the time approaches when the
hens are to be placed in the laying
houses after being on more or less
range during the summer it Is likely a
few of them-usuaily the older ones
will be found to be troubled with scaly
legs. This trouble is caused by the
presence OF a small mite tQ0I mas
Judgment under the scales on the legs
of the fowls, the mite being invisible to
the naked eye. While not an especially
dangerous ailment IL disdgures the
fowls and undoubtedly causes more or
less discomfort. The trouble may read
lily be cured by first washing the legs
of the fowls affected, using warm soap
suds. then drying the legs thoroughly
and applying kerosene lightly with a
small brush or a feather. In two or
three days give the fowls legs another
washing with soap and warm water,
dry the legs and apply vaseline or cot
tonseed oil. This treatment usually re-
suits in complete cure. If the trouble
persists simply repeat the treatment
until the scales disappear.
Male birds in the flock are useful
only for the production of fertile eggs.
Fertile eggs are required only for
Matching. An infertile egg will keep
much longer than will one that Is fer
tile. besides being better table or
cooking egg and bringing a higher
price on the market Therefore, why
keep the males with the layers?
II the chickens-young ones or ma
ture fowis-get off their feed even for
a few days they have lost ground. and
they will continue to lose until they get
TO eating heartily again. Often as
much time is required on full feed to
bring flock back to normal condition
s5 tiic 10 AOsA WINCH VII thStA ASSA.
As soon as the young stock IL brofler
size separate the cockerels from the
pullets- The cockerels should be given
fattening ration so as to f1t them
quickly for going to market. while the
puliets. which are to be the coming
winters layers, require flesh building
feeds that win enable them to grow
aud develop into vigorous mature fowls
ready for q winters work.
Cockerels make fine eating when
fried. broiled or roasted, but the lover
of good things to eat hasn't tasted
good poultry until he or she has eaten
Il portion Of properly cooked capon.
cockerels may be tender and Juicy, but
the capon has them beaten out of sight
for tender juiceiness and general table
quality. 1t isn't hard or dangerous or
costly to caponize the surplus cocker
els. which, around the holidays. will
bring at least % cents a pound IL
properly fattened and dressed. And a
good barred or white rock capon ought
TO weigh six to eight pounds, dressed
as capons are for market.
Many complaints have been made dur
Ing the summer of the ravages of stray
D.: dogs among poultry on farms near
Washington. Besides killing or MAIN
ing many hens and young fowls the