Milford chronicle., 1916-06-30

fowls each year, are prone to neglect
some extent the older or matured bird
in their endeaYOrs to raise the younge
ones.
do not wish to be understood in an.
way as advocating the lack of care TO
the little fellows, but l do wish to insis
on the proper care of the older birds
The care of the older birds during th'
summer is Just as much a part of you
duty as a breeder as looking after the
youngsters. One of the essentials Of
poultry raising is to look after every
detail of the business and in this are in
cluded both the old and young birds.
There is much danger to the old birds
in the yards and runs during the hot
weather, unless the business is given
your care and attention, disease will
surely crop out among the flock, particu-
larly those diseases which are prevalent
during summer months. The greatest
degree of success, then, comes to the
man who looks after his yearling and
| full grown stock, as well as the younger
birds.
These conditions are particularly true
where the breeder has more or less of a
| free range on which to place his birds.
In this case, the poultryman will almost
invariably turn the youngsters loose on
the range, coop the older birds up in a
small yard or run, and seemingly forget
their presence. The result is that within
comparatively short time, disease gets
into the flock and many valuable birds
are lost before he realizes what is wrong,
and in most instances, it is too late to
apply a remedy.
Small runs are all right if surround
ing conditions are right. If neglected,
however, they will produce bad smelling
houses. These hens are forced to en-
dure during the hot days while the chicks
are given the advantage of the grass
range, the open front houses and the
shade of the trees about the place. And
then, when disease crops out, the aver
age breeder will blame the chickens in
stead of himself for the trouble. When
hens are forced to remain in close quar-
ters through the hot days, without the
necessary comforts of life. they soon
show signs of debility. This causes a
loss of appetite, and the birds so af-
fected will not only become an eyesore
to the place. but will soon succumb and
many will die off.
Most persons will push their birds
hard during the fall, winter and early
spring months for eggs and these birds |
will become prey to the above named |
conditions sooner than those that have |
not been drummed, so to speak, for |
their product. With such hens, good /
treatment and careful attention is alb
necessary to preserve their
health.
The result of forcing the birds for
eggs over the winter is that their diges-
tive organs are greatly overworked and
they will give out in the spring and
and become inactive and indif-
ferent In this condition they are sus-
ceptible to many diseases unless given
your special care and attention. But in
stead of getting it, they are more often
relegated to close cOOps, small runs and
Yards without shade, and given but lit
lie or no attention yet when they are
aiken sick and die off, wall after wall is
leard to go up against them. All the
Efforts of the average breeder are d.
'ected to the newly Matched chicks,
While the older fowls are uncared for.
This is dead wrong Mr.. Breeder, dead
wrong, but to get back to the subject
# how to care for the older birds, while !
It the same time providing for the
+
After being forced over the winter !
or eggs and then placed into small runs {
Without shade, with but little ventilation {
nd in otherwise unhealthy surround !
ngs, the hens will soon develop indiges- (
ion. This is followed by loss of ap- I
etite, a sluggish motion in exercising,
nd loose bowels. The droppings, while
he bird is in this condition, will stick
o the feathers about the vent, giving
he bird an altogether horrid appearance. $
hen too, the fowl in this shape will not Il
axe their daily bath. This allows the q
ce to thrive on their bodies, and the v
esult is that those not sent to the chop S
ing block to improve the appearance
the plant will die off from disease
nd sheer neglect. Many good, promis- I,
lg male birds are also lost often by be- n
lg placed with hens thus neglected, or II
saved, are unfit for breeders. a
In most cases, especially with the in e
experienced breeder, the mail bird is e
lated with too large a number of hens
uring the breeding season and thus be-
Omes overworked and run down. In
MS condition, he is placed in unhealthy s.
1arters with the hens and neglected, II
Jon falling a prey to some disease p
Ihich either carries him off or renders P
i'm unfit for future use. lo
Don't assume a selfish attitude toward "
le older birds while you bestow all
Dur kindnesses upon the youngsters.
] other words, Don't forget the old p"
,lks. . Give them something in return tc
II what they have given you. 1t is not
to neglect the youngsters for
le older birds, nor vice versa, but give r
lch the care and attention they demand
Id success will crown your efforts far
oner than if either were neglected.
9th are branches Of the poultry busi- So
,ss, and as such. both must be looked OF
ter if you hope for success. m
The birds that have been faithful to It
u during the winter when eggs were be
ing sought after, deserves at least W
ir treatment at your hands during the tn
riod Of inactivity, or during the hot in
onths when they are not producing in "
e same measures as was the case only es
few short months ago. ca
The old birds should at least be al 25
rod q r,orffon If fba orroea rauoo and NJ