Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-12-27
REDUCING THE COST OF LIVING--lV.
~ FREDERIC ). HAskiS

utilize the scrars from the family
table In feeding them, rather than buy
expensiv. feeds. In fact. this utillza-
ton of garbage which would otherwise
b" wasted is the basis of economical
poultrykeeping. Although no exact
study OF the matter has been made II
ia asserted that there are few families
that would not support ten hens at
least. on the table scraps. while many
could support twice that many.
Reduce Flock In Winter.
OF course n laying flock OF ten hens
means more than that number OF
chickens Including cocks and young
stock In the summer. However both
OF th"s" classes should be eaten be-
fore Christmas, and only the hens
supported through the winter when
feed is scarce. During the summer.
green food is cheap. In the winter the
flock should be kept down TO such a
size that II viii be necessary 10 pur-
chase little feed.
y good idea Of how much room YOU
must have TO keep chickens may be
had from til" fact that at the govern
rpent experimental poultry farm. thir-
u hens are kept on an area twenty
five by 200 feet Thus your ten hens
might ID" kept in n runway of THRU
inns size. However. for good results
YOU should have somcwha; large
INTO Two run"iNS. "hllc
the chickens are occupying one. the
other should be Aown in wheat. oats.
rye on some other quick growing grain.
The yards should be rotated every
three or four weeks during ih- grow
ing season. the chickens being turned
on tho sprouting grain when Il is a
few inches hi,;h
what return may YOU expect from
flock OF chickens of this size \ hen
of a good LAWNS; breed. during her firs;
year viii produce about u; Gigs 20
that II YOU have learned hos TO care
Ter them rightly YOU may expect be-
tween 400 aud 800 C.:rs a year from
Your flock In addition TO this. each
hcn. af;"r her thrc. years 81 laying
III" are over, will lie worth from ."
cents 10 50 cents on the market. while.
/: YOU raise your own chickens. YOU
"ill have mumbcr OF cockcrcl. to
Lill i'll tho tall Needless TO say. If tn.
scraps from the family tabl" w.rc we'll
utilized in supporting such "a flock. this
return would easily lcav" a profit OF
expo nditure for a little grain and lay
ing ration in tho winter
Few Needed for Start.
The government experts recommend
that the small producer hatch his own
chicks under hens, rather than IN in
cuhat"rS. Thus. &c" hens anil a fcw
settings Of eggs OF some thoroughbred
variety arc all tina; vow need 20 start
in the business. and the hon do.s ;,
large part "f tho work while Tho incu-
hators and brood"rs exact almost .s
much care from YOU as a chick docs
from - hen
You may also. % course. bu, YOU.
laying flock. aud this may no q good
"%p"d!cn; H. some eases. hu, - not
generally 10 II" recommended In tn.
spring. small chiefs arc offered tcr
sal in many city markets y, rom 20
10 % cents apiece. II they arc very
small and IN the down. however. these
VIII HAY" TO be either l.cp, in :: brood
or or turned over to hon. and II
VII probably b." cheaper and better
I" buN cEgr and hatch them To bus
hocR .! good laying pull"t. in mo
fall may he good WAY OF insurln-
winter egg supply. II YOU can got
thom at a rcascuahl" price. In most
neiEhborhoodS YOU cannot, II YOU can
buy good pnllcts for sIIn. ;h"v arc
rcrr ant To ." good Investment bui
II YOU have to pay much moro than
that. they arc not
In .a"t. tho moral OF this tale seems
10 be that in gardening YOU must usc
gray matter rs VOL as hoe and !,
seed catalogue. while raising chickens
calls for both concentration and gen
"ralShip To d" success