Milford chronicle., 1916-11-24
STARTING OUT in THE
POULTRY BUSINESS
By J. H. McFAUL, Jr.
LAH Rights ReseyTsdl

much toward getting good start in the
spring-a time before the weather gets
exceedingly warm and chicks are hard to
raise.
There are, to my mind, many points to
be considered in starting into the bust
ness as well as to continue in it) that
might well be termed essentials. These
| are, fresh air, sunshine, clean, fresh
water, exercise, a good dust-bath, and
comfort for the fowls. It is plainly evil
lent that all of these may be supplied
without cost, and merely are the result
II little energy ami attention on the
] part of the breeder In other words, by
Eliminating laziness, all of these very i'm
portant essentials may be supplied. But
these are not all that are necessary for
the beginner, or anyone for that matter,
in order to attain success.
Keeping down lice is probably the
hardest task which the breeder has to
buck against, but even this burden may
be materially lightened by the adoption
Of system. Lice represent one of the
greatest of all drawbacks in poultry, but
while it requires a little success to fight
them, the cost is small indeed compared
with the results gained by their elimiua-
ton.
The feeding of fowls is another and
one of the more important of the many
essentials, and second to the feeding
comes the housing of the birds. There
is much to be said on both of these sub
jects and both have been dwelt upon at
various times in these columns. The sub
ject of feeding the young chicks will be
taken up again before the time when the
youngsters are due to arrive, and for this
reason, we will not go into the detail at
present.
It might, however, be well to say Just
word on the several essentials referred
to. Birds that are compelled to sit upon
perches at night in close, stuffy houses
that are filed with foul and impure air,
cannot be expected to retain their health
They must have pure, fresh air at all
times.
Sunshine is as necessary as fresh air
and is no more expensive. II can be had
for the taking. The supplying of sun
shine does not mean that fowls should be
forced to remain out in the hot summer
sun -and-day- but the rays
should be admitted into the coop. 1t pre- |
vents dampuess, and the birds require a
certain amount of it.
AS a lazy man rarely carries off any |
honors at his employment, neither does |
a lazy hen ever earn a record for egg
laying In order to produce, it is neces-
sary to force the hen to exercise-and /
this can best be furnished by means of |
scratch shed filed with good light litter, /
into which all of the grain food should
be scattered.
Then too, the dust bath is Of great i'm
to the welfare of the hen. Mans
Efforts in keeping down or getting rid Of
he lice can be greatly lessened if he will
lut allow the hen to assist. Hens, like
most human beings, like to wash them
selves, but, like babies, they require
iome assistance in the performance of
he task. It is only necessary for you to
provide the wherWith and the hens will
10 the rest. Give them a good dust bath
md they will make use of it and thus
,reatly lessen your labor in subduing lice.
\ good bath may be made by mixing
quail parts of inely-sifted coal ashes and
Dad dust. The dust bath is the hens
,ath tub and it is for you to play the part
# the plumber.
While there are, of course, many other
hings which will require your attention
Il the raisiHg of chickens, yet these are
be more important matters for your
and if they are carefully
tanned and carried out, you will have
title difficulty in raising chickens and in
laking the venture a success.
/ trust that the above has been made
erfectly clear, While it, of course, does
OF give the pointers in minute deail, yet
covers most of the important matters
to ones entry into the poultry
iising game, and ! trust it will suffice
nd aid you.