The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1916-11-11
THE USE OF
POULTRY STlMUlANTS
By e. E. CONKEY.

there are few of us that do not TO
some extent employ in the ration
foods or drugs that properly come un-
der the head of stimulantS. Now
there is no reason why such materials
should not be used whenever they are
essential in getting the results We are
striving for providing we understa nd
the nature of the thing we are using
so that We can exercise good judgment
what We do We must have some
knowledge of their effect on the gen
eral health of the fowls, particularly
in the case of drugs, for while some
drugs are desirable, much damage
may result from carelessness or ig-
norance in the use of others.
1t is not an unusual occurrence for
a flock of chickens 10 be rendered
quite worthless through over-stimula-
ton, and this in just a few months
time. On the other hand, properly
selected and regulated diet that in
cludes stimulating materials can be
made to serve a very good purpose III
bringing about the desired results
without any danger of harmful effects.
Animal foods are not usually class
ed as stimulants, perhaps because of
their being so universally used, but III
reality they are of stimulating nat
ure and when fed to excess may prove
just as harmful as drugs that we
would naturally use with greater eau
ton. Meat foods when fed right will
not over stimulate and no ration IS
complete without some kind of meat
. food.
There are many feeds also that are
otto heating and stimulating to be
used in great quantities without harm
full results. Such feeds are corn,
hemp seed, cooked potatoes, rice,
buckwheat and oil meals. Given in
connection with spicy condiments they
will in time bring on liver trouble and
affect the egg organs, often being re-
sponsibe for the laying of soft she'll
ed eggs. OF the different grains used
in poultry feeding, corn is misused
more than any other and yet there are
some farmers that still persist in Civ
ing little else at any season of the
year. In cold weather when the more
heating foods are desirable, corn is
less harmful, but other grains should
always be fed in connection with it.
When too much corn is used fat is dc
posted IN various parts of the body
and Ill time this will result in fatty
degeneration of the muscles and var
lous organs.
Corn and corn meal in the right pro-
portions. can be used to advantage in
poultry feeding and few formulas are
without one or both of these. Like
wise other stimulating feed materials
Will do no harm if they are used as
they should be for supplying a limit
ed amount Of certain food elements or
for the sake of adding to the variety
of food since fowls must have var
ETY. if the best results are to be ex-
pected
At times it is just as advisable to
use drugs with tonic or stimulating
properties as it is to use stimulating
food, for when results cannot be OBJ
tanned without them it is short
sighted policy that will not recognize
the good that lies in the better class of
these preparations. Where good iudg
ment is used in the selection of condi
mental foods, avoiding those too high
~ stimulating or known to be harm
tul IN their nature. you need have no
fear for the health of your birds. A
condition powder. rightly made. will
improve the appetite and make thc
birds more active, it will enrich the
blood and through this purify the sys-
TEN, and the result is strengthening
OF the different organs, and promotion
OF vigorous good health required for
egg production.
In selecting condition powder or
regulator, be careful not to select one
that contains cayenne pepper. While
a perceptlble amount of this drug will,
1t is true. cause premature laying and
so stimulate egg production, at the
same time continuous use of such
drugs is sure to intlame the egg or
ganS causing these parts to become
diseased, and frequently also produc-
ing various forms of liver trouble To
use such preparations is not the logi-
cal way to get more eggs. You should
pulld, not force for more eggs.
During certain seasons of the year
egg laying is very unnatural pro-
cess and it is particularly at these
times that stimulating materials are
needed iii The feeding ii nuuh is 10
be kept on paying basis. Some
times foods alone do not bring the re-
suits We are after and when thew fail
We must find some other means of in
ducing the birds to lay. If tonic will
do this it should do it as we explained
above by means of improving the
appetite, enriching the blood ami
purifying the system thus strengthen
ing the organs so that laying becomes
once more the natural thing. Build
your BIRDS health. Don't force them.
1t is also quite noticeable at times that
puliets. will reach laying age appar-
emily IN the best of condition and
health ard still not start laying as
they should. In such cases you will
ind mild stimulants will serve a very
good purpose.
Remember rhat it is not the-use. but
the abuse of stimulating medicines or
foods that make them dangerous and
that no harm will result if common
sense governs your actions. Don't
select preparation that claims too
much. Moderation in all things is
good.
AGED FARMER