Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-10-19

With the approach Of winter IL be-
comes necessary for pouIfrymen To
make preparations for maximum
supply Of eggs during that period
when they are scarce and bringing the
best prices. little Extra care and
few simple methods OF feeding viii
amply repay for the extra labor by
insuring full egg basket.
As every poultry keeper has learned by
experience, there is q great falling off in
egg production during the winter months,
especially during an extremely cold spell,
when there is sleet or snow upon the
ground The reason for this is that it re-
uuires n large amount of stimulating food
TO maintain the body heat OF the fowls,
leaving no excess to be converted into
egg production. In consequence, IT is ex-
tremely essential that provisions be made
TO surround the fowls with conditions
which are as nearly spring-like as pos
sible
II must be remembered that producing
| eggs in winter Is an artificial process
| and that the functions of the fowls must
| be kept in prime condition. This may
| be accomplished by surrounding them
with comfortable quarters, where they
| are sheltered from extreme changes IN
| ceive plenty of sunshine In connection
with this necess ty for warmth and COM
Portable conditions, one of the problems
is to secure lots of fresh air
AVOID TOO MUCH GLASS
Ventilation Of poultry houses has taken
up as much study by experts as any phase
OF poultry culture. Many plans arc sug-
| gested to bring about an abundance Of
/ hn IN.
| trenes Of temperature As result OF
years of experimenting, il is concluded
| that the ideal poultry house should not
/ have too much glass IN the front wall
| Instead IL should be fitted with muslin
| curtains. which may be raised or lowered
according To weather conditions.
| ANY system OF ventilation which Will
allow drafts at roosting time IS defective.
| Frozen combs and wattes result, and
there is a falling off in the egg supply.
/ Any house in which the ronSting compart-
ment is so arranged that it causes frozen
| combs 10 occur should be corrected i'm
medlately. BY having separate roostlng
and scratching compartment. or by ar
/ ranging drop curtains IN front of the roOst-
| ing compartment. it is possible 10 carry
| fowls through the most sevtere weahor
viii out subjecting them to the dangers
4
A house that liz dry inside Is less likely
to cause frosted combs than one IN which
| the atmosphere is damp. Roasting quart
ers are apt 10 become damp from the ex-
| hailed breath of the fowls, hence the need OF
proper ventilation.
BEWARE or THE pRoNEs.
PuIIets and hens Intended as winter
| LAYERS should be in prime condition be-
| ,4H+ rFFn ~ fzFt1~ ar
| Those which are poorly developed or IN
scant flesh. should first be fattened or
sent to the butcher. 1t IS an expensive
| proposition 10 attempt 70 carry over
! winter anV but the most promising females.
as the cost of feed will far exceed the m
| come Besides. the drones take up valuable
space. which should be occupied bE their
more productive sisters Fowls that do
not begin laying by the latter part 81
October or the middle Of November sell
dom att..in the condition necessary for
good winter layer hence il Is Imperative
that all backward fowls should be given
| stimulating rations Of wei mash IN order
| To improve their general condition.
Ii is now time 10 remove the pullets
from free range and place them IN their
| permanent winter quarters. Changing
fowls from one location to another usually
causes a let up IN laying. In consequence
| IT Is highly essential that the fowls be-
| come accustomed TO their winter quarters
a short time before they are expect 70 be
gin ] yIng
4 liberal amount Of litter must be pro-
| vidcd III order that the fowl continue
their scratching habits TO keep fowls
busy. especially as the cold days approach.
a suitable scratching compartment be
| comes necessity. Several inches Of clean
| straw Is spread over the floor OF the pen
into which grain Is scattered, viii pro-
vide ample exercise and keep the fowls N
! a healthy condition The latter may be
| composed Of rlaner shayings or corn fod-
der cit fine; in fact, any material which
| will absorb the moisture OF the dropplngs
and not pack solid will do.
GUAI,D AGAINST VERMIN.
Particular attention should be gwen
to the possibility of mites or other vernln
as II is out Of the question 10 expect profit
able returns from fowls which are infested
| with yermn. See that the roostS and nest
boxes are disinfected sufficiently 10 pre-
vent any OF these pests. Renew the litter
Just frequently enough 10 keep IT clean
and dry
\ good dust bath should be provided.
located III a dry place where the sun
shines The dust bath Is the hens natural
method of freeing themselves OF lIee
Oyster SHELLS, grit and charcoal are
part OF the regular materials required for
an egg producing ration. They should be
kept before the fowls ut all times
Rations for producing eggs must be
decided upon by each poultry keeper.
War conditions have made such advances
in the prices Of al grains that it is prac-
tically impossible 70 prescribe a ration
that can be easily procured by all poultry
men We must bear in mind, however
that in order 10 secure eggs in winter the
fowls must be supplied with diet that Is
nourishing and stimulating Every ra-
ton must contain enough nutriment not