Milford chronicle., 1917-09-21

The rapid approach of winter again
brings vividly to mind the fact that the
poultryman who desires to make his fiocks
pay must get winter eggs. The problem
of how to get winter eggs is one that
must be solved in order to realize the
profit that should be yours
One cannot merely maintain chickens
and get this much deserved profit, but on
the contrary, the subject is a most i'm
portant one and must be thoroughly
studied i'll order to be understood suthci-
emily to be put into practice. There are
many things in connection with the pro-
duction of winter eggs which must be
learned from experience, but there are
some potent facts that may be brought to
your attention in the form of published
articles, and some of these we desire to
present to you at this time.
The very first things to be considered
in the production of winter eggs are the
birds themselves. It is absolutely neces-
sary to have the foundation before one
can build the edihce. and be it known
that in the poultry industry the birds are
the foundation and the product of the
edifce. It is therefore impossible to pro-
duce the eggs unless you are equipped
/ Will q AAONE "a NAA~AANA-A a. @NAAA W---~-~ ---N
| former can be secured.
The first and most important factor to-
wards having a flock of chickens each
| fall that will figure in the production of
eggs, is that of early Matching, From
this it can be readily seen that one of the
first essentials is to hatch early, and then
to keep these pullets growing constantly
in order to have them fully matured and
in shape for the fall and winter produc
ton. Of course, older birds may be made
to yield a fair percentage of profit, but
the bulk of the receipts come from the
pullets, which if properly hatched and
handled, should begin shelliug out the
eggs when they are at top prices.
There are however few breeders, and
particularly those who keep but limited
quantity of fowls, that give the industry
sufficient attention so as to be prepared
with their pullets when the fall arrives.
With these the question of the hour is
"How can we get eggs from the older
birds in the winter ?" Watching any old
kinds of fowls lay prolifically during the
spring and summer, and then to lay off
the lob during the fall and winter when
eggs are so much coveted, is indeed very
discouraging to the average breeder, par
ticularly when the winter price reaches
such high proportions. Then too, the
feeding problem during winter is made
hard to bear when the birds remain idle.
These conditions are discouraging and
makes one stop and think, Does it pay
to raise fowls? ?"
Be it known that eggs are produced by
feeding and not as a natural course of
events. And for that reason l desire to
saw a little regarding this most important
subject in the hope that it might help
materially to increase your production |
this winter.
You might as well attempt to produce |
eggs without chickens as without proper |
food and the sooner you get this firmly !
established in your think cap" the bet !
ter off YOU will be in the way of profits.
From practical experience it has been |
learned that one of the best forms of egg |
producing food is that generally referred |
TO as green food. Sprouted oats makes |
better green food than anything else, and |
for that reason 1 most strongly urge its
use. 1t is also possibly cheaper than any
other kind, unless one has ample ground
upon which to raise quantities of cabbage
and other things which will answer very
we'll. Mangels also make a good green
food and the fowls relish them very much.
1t is important however that the fowls
be supplied with other kinds of foods in
addition to the sprouted oats, if eggs are
desired. A we'll balanced grain ration
should be supplied at least twice day,
and in addition to this, give the birds a
liberal allowance of mash food, specially
prepared for egg production. Chickens
are peculiarly constructed fowls and re-
ouire much nourishment. 1t is impossi-
bic to nourish their wants, especially in
the food line, with an occasional feeding
Of mashes or green food, or even with a
straight grain ration. In order to supply
their delicate organisms between meals,
or between the times that the grain is
fed and when they should have nourish-
meut. a mash food fita in finely.
By keeping this before them at all times I
.hey are permitted to partake at will, I
.hus never letting them want for some
hing TO eat. A mash food which have Z
1sed with excellent results in producing
eggs can be made as follows Two parts 1
wheat bran, one part middlings, one part
,orn meal, one part alfalfa meal, one part
yluten meal, one part beef scrap and one /
BART bone meal. To this it is well to add l
little salt, sufficient to season It. The
luantitv can be determined by the taste.