Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-06-24
CARE OF THE BACK YARD
! FLOCK IN HOT WEATHER
beware of Vcr1nin; Also Of Contami.
mated Food and of Dirty
Watcr-AIind the Heat.
CLEANLINESS TO BE OBSERVED
Young Chicks Always Need Sum
shine, but They Also Must Have a
Shady Rctrcat-Thcy Know How
to Find IT..

to Find Ii.
There was time when only the most
favorable conditions made it possible
TO get the best results raising chicks
on account of the high mortality ratio
during the summer. This was before
the discovery that many OF the most
common diseases were duo TO specific
organisms. To-day know that
darnpness. darkness. foul air, crowded
quarters and fifth anord favorable con-
ditions for the development and spread
OF disease
Nowhere are these statements more
applicable than in the backyard poul-
try flock. where unnatural conditions
and Intensive methods. racteristic
OF this sort of poultry keeping. afford
peculiarly favorable opportunities for
the development and spread OF nfec-
tiuus diseases.
MAKE TIE START
on FRESH SOIL
Those who begin poultry keeping
with land where fowls have never been
kept. and with new wcll-loc4;cd build
,ngs OF proper construction, generally
have perfect sanitary conditions with
which TO start. How long they Will
remain so depends upon the degree
OF cleanliness observed. Such a poul
Try plant. II wisely planned may be
kept free from disease indefinitely. On
S'S ptHti manu-, HcpleCt Of
and disregard for The simple rules OF
sAnitatio-. may result in the contami-
nation Of the house. the poisoning
or tho soil. and the reduction Of the
vitality Of the fowls to such extent
as to make the venture entirely un-
profitable in a short time.
Tho prevention of losses from dis
case Is not only possible and COM
paratively easy. but the long line Of
direct and indirect losses is within the
control Of ali poultrymcn who sive
the matter OF sanitation and clcanli
ness an importan, position in the daily
schedule
When little chicks arc put out in
the yard to enjoy free range. whether
they are broodcd by hens or by means
OF an artificial hrooder, they are cx-
posed to the possibility OF infection.
hence IL is essential TO Give special
attention 10 the brood coops or brooder
both as to cleanliness and vermin.
Mites ar lice offer the greatest dan
ger. and II is an utter impossibiIity to
attempt 10 rear chicks which are m
tested with vernin. Liquid lice killers
may be painted in tn. corners or tho
nrnod coops. and the hens should be
busted With an efficient lice powder.
THE GREAT IMPORTANCE
or sUNSHIN:
Next IN cleanliness comes sunshine
II is impoAsiblS to rear chicks in a
vital effect. and docs much TO pro-
mote healthy growth as any other fea-
thro. This does not mean that chicks
should be exposed to strong direct
rays OF tho gum duyinE hot weather.
ON the contrary. they should have
plenty o! shade ;s well.
Domestic fowls still retain many Of
their natural az Wild instincts. and
when they arc scared they like 10 take
refuge and hide in low shrubbery I'M
81 the danger has passed. During tho
heat OF the day they hun, up this
same shrubbery and rest under il.
Shade Is absolutely essential for the
development o! chicks. II there Is no
natural shade in the chicken yard, the
run should be sown In corn and the
chicks allowed TO roam through the
stalks. This provides fine protection
from the strong heat OF the sun. and
affords an excellent place for tho
chicks 10 sctatch. Tents or coverings
made Of hurlap or muslin arc often
provided wh,re there is no other pro-
lection.
AN ABUNDANT
SUPPLY OF WATER
Mex, TO cleanliness. sunlight and
shade, II is essential for the chicks to
have an abundance OF cool. fresh water
always before them. The chicks do not
appear to drink much at a time. but
they are frequent drinkers. and water
being one OF the most important items
toward health. ii must not be over
looked. Small carthcnware fountains
are splendid receptacles for watering
chicks. The fountain is iiiicd and then
inverted. allowing the water TO How
IN proportion 10 It's consumption.
barrel may he arranged in a shady
mace and the spiSot so arranged that
tiny continuous flow OF water falls
into a shallow vessel. thus irsurinS
constant fresh supply at all times.
Where hydrsnt water is available, IL is
simple matter to rig up some sort OF
fountain.
Provision must be made to keep
young chicks well supplied with succu-
lent green food. Lawn clippings. grass
and the waste from the garden may
supply much OF this food. in addition
TO which provision should be made
for "a succession of special green crops.
Forage and vegetable plants may he
utilized They are grown on a small
plo; Of ground. il precautions are taken
to protect them from the destructive
chicks.
An outdoor green patch may be made
for fowls kept in small, bare yards
by using siX-inch boards and cover
ing them with ordinary onc-inch mesh
poultry netting. Sow oats. rye, let
tucc, clover. kale and like plants Put
the Enclosure in place, and when the
green food grows up the chicks will
Cat IL from uay 10 Gay all tney can
reach through the wire mesh. This
vine covered frame may be used TO ex-
celient advantage; the crops are pro-
tectcd against killing by tramplinG or
scratching.
All kinds of root and fruit parings
may he used as green food but they
are not so desirable as growing succu-
lent plants. Swiss chard. rape and
other quick growing plants are used
extensively for this purpose. and in
many instances they are grown under
protector. Where chicks have un-
limited range over a grass plot they
will consume large quantities Of green
food and incidentally pick up many
bugs and worms.
YOU SHOULD BEWARE
Of MOLDY FEED
Sour and musty feeds arc RESPONSE
hle for numerous losses every year.
Great care must be taken to see that
all foods to which the chicks have ac-
cess are free from any trace of mold
or fermentation. Under no conditions
should feed be stored in damp places:
4; is almost certain becOme mnSty