Milford chronicle., 1917-06-29

Following the introduction into the plant Of the
proper breeding methods. and the Matching of the
youngsters the next most important thing 70 con
sider 10 the raising Of the chicks. These right
fully be termed the growing stock. for from the
very minute Of their Matching they necessarily be
come the growing stock. And in order TO have
the greatest amount Of success, il s essential that
they be kept growing continuously until they ma
ture. or until they are 80 developed as to begin
laying.
This particular time Of the year is indeed very
hard one for the average pOultryman. The entire
spring, If we say that we have had any spring.
has been very wet, and consequently hard one
Of the excessive rains will naturally come inten-
sive heat and this is IS much an enemy to the
youngsters as the wet weather.
Special care must therefore be exercised at this
time il you desire to be successful in the raising Of
! the youngsters. Il must be remembered that your
business will be an utter failure unless large
percentage Of the young or growing stock is sue
cessfully brought to maturity.
There are many different methods Of raising
chicks, but almost every successful way calls for
the separation of the pullets and cockerels, at
1 least where il is at all possible. Most persons
adopt similar methods for the raising of the cock
erels and pullets. This is especially true Of the
farmer, but should not be countenanced, nor
should the youngsters be kept with the old or ma
tured as is so often the case,
! The old method Of corn feeding in the raising
of the young chicks is still largely practeed' par
ticulary by farmers who pay but little attention
to the fowls and who consequently get but little
from them in return. The system OF corn FEEDING
IN the taking Of internal fat. This renders the
growing pulets unfit for service in that retards
the proper development Of their internal organs
likewise produces leg weakness. and greatly re-
duces the egg producing capacity.
When pullets are being raised for the purpose OF
producing eggs they should never be allowed to
take on Internal fat but this condition will surely
result from the liberal feeding of corn while they
are in the growing stage.
After all the raising Of chickens is primarily
due 70 the thought of getting and selling eggs, as
! s- F-an of industry
bulk Of the receipts accrue. For that reason the
pullets should be raised on different methods Of
feeding than the cockerels, which are generally
raised for market purposes.
The surplus cockerels may be given the corn
rations in order that they might de fattenei for
market but the greatest care should be exercised
with the pulets in order that they may be OF
greater service to the breeder when once they are
matured. 80
Allow the pulets as much free range as possible
without fear of their taking on too much fat.
This should also be guarded against as too much
free range is as detrimental to them in the way OF
accommodating fat as is the corn diet for that
reason il is best to limit their free range.
Fowls that have been Just raised, without any
special care being taken to their breeding. feeding
or general handling, will show marked deprecia-
tion in their egg producing when compared win
those that have been raised after some good and
proper method in which the birds have been given
the benefit of the experience Of successtul breed
ers No matter how good the birds or the breed.
the pullets will never amount to much as produc-
ers If allow ed TO take surplus fat either eNter-
naly or internally.
There are Of course many things to be considered
in the proper handling Of the growing stock toat-
tain the goal success, and while they are OF I'M
portance, believe the most pertinent Of all things
is the feeding II all other things are right and
the feeding wrong success will never come at
least insofar the production of eggs is concern
ed In order to be able to produce properly. every
pullet must be kept growing constantly and the
foods must be such as to take care OF all the inner
wants Of the fowl.
Let me therefore touch upon a method Of feed
ing the growing stock that has been successful in
every way. one which has produced birds that
have spelled success for many breeders.
After the chicks have passed from their baby
stag they should be supplied with a good bal
anced-grain ration. with but little or no corn at
this season of the year. If corn be added how
ever It should be Of the cratked variety as whole
corn is much more heating and fattening But
grain food is not all that is necessary for the prop
er growth and development of the pullets. and for
this reason a growing ration is recommended to-
gether with a liberal supply Of the green food
which is highly essential. particularly where the
( wis have not the advantage of free or limited
range.
A growing or developing mash that will meet
your every need may be made as follows; two
parts bran one part Oat chop, one part wheat
chop and one part cut alfalfa or cut clover. To
this may also be added one part middlings. While
many persons indulge in the feeding of wet mashes,
believe this to be unwise. and therefore always
that it be fed dry. II you prefer 70
mosten the mash use a little milk for the pur-
pose, but be careful to squeeze il out thoroughly
so as to prevent it being sloppy. But. to avoid
trouble. it is safer 70 feed il in dry FORM from
hoppers.
This is not only growing mash but may be used
successfully as laying food after the pullets are
fully matured thuss il becomes as well laying
mash. The average laying mash. however, is
slii h ly different in formula, but the above an
swers the purpose cry nicely by the mere addition
Of a quantity of beef scrap. If milk is fed to the
fowls it will eliminate the necessity of supplying
beef scrap and other forms Of animal food;
There naturally some weak or shy birds in
every flock Notwithstanding that they may be in
perfect health and properly developed in proper
10 their age. They are somewhat like the
edward child and care should be taken lest these
b. crowded out by the more forward ones at feed
ing. thus wing TO retard tneir growth and de- |
veiol ment through the lack Of food. For this rea-
the pullets should be fed in widely scattered
Oughs which will avoid their crOwding. This IS /
pecially where one is unable to separate the
males anu females but if handled this way, they /
may be raised together with far success. Where !
space is sufficient, however. you should by all |
means separate the sexes thus giving the pallets /
every opportunity to develop and grow I
Never attempt TO raise fowls without grit, oys- /
ter shell and charcoal. A little money invested n .
these will be well spent as it is next TO impossible
for the birds to thrive and do well without them
Good. clean. fresh water should be provided at
III times for the Of the growing stock. as well
rs for the laying hens-it is essential that they
nave it. Fowls drink more water in proportion to
heir size than any other domestic animal, so tt is
infair and improbable to permit them to drink
stale and polluted water at any stage of their llfe
Where free range is impossible, remember that
I IS you 10 provide some hoEN oA green Auu4s
This can be done in a number of ways buc believe
he cheapest and best is BprOuted oats. After
many experiments with various kinds of green I
God, sprouted oats have been found to be both .
he cheapest and most beneficial. We have already /
old how they may be sprouted without much ex-
iense.
During the summer months. however, the oats i
nay be fed by planting quantity in the ground, /
md when they sprout through. turn the birds into
he patch. II several patches are planted, they /
nay be utilized on separate days. As soon as the /
ats are consumed plant more in the same place
Last. but by no means least important in the
natter of raising the youngsters, ia the value OF
exercise. Upon this largely hinges your success
n raising the birds. No matter how well the /
may be bred kept or fed. they will |
lever develop into anything but scrubs or drones /
lnless forced to take sufficient exercise EXer- /
Use is the real health tonic for fowls. and the /
breeder who fails to make his birds take sufiiei
mt quantity seals his own doom as a raiser of ,
hickens.
To the end that the birds may get exercise, one ,
hould feed all Of the grain food in good, clean.