Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1919-10-03

young STOCK ana remeuylnS the tcHc-
ment house" conditions which obtain
among many American flOcks. The
young stock should be carefully eX-
amined, handled, and Judged to ascer-
tain whether or not they possess the
markings of profitable producers. All
the weaker chickens and those that
are not thrifty and doing well, as we'll
as youngsters which are not feather
ing sufficiently fast and showing the
proper amount of growth, should be
culled from the flock. From August
Is to September l also is desirable
time to separate the cockerels from
the pullets, limiting each sex to special
coops, houses, and runs, SO that they
can not mingle.
Trouble From CrOwding.
The overcrowding of young stock at
night in congested lodgings is the
cause of much serious trouble in that
the birds which are packed closely to-
gether become overheated and pers-
pire freely so that when they go out
into the cold air of early morning they
fare extremely subject to catching cold
This indisposition favors the develop
ment of roup and similar troubles,
which, once they are established In
| the flock, are difficult to eradicate
without dispensing the flock.
Every poultryman should take a
census of his young stock and at the
same time should investigate his hous-
ing accommodations during the late
summer in order that the pullets he
retains in the flock as future produc-
ers may have plenty of room in which
to develop properly and surplus OF
space for their comfort at night. The
gauge for the determination of wheth-
er the pullet flock should be culled is
the condition and appearance of the
birds at night. If the flock is uni
formly spread out over the floor so
that all the fowls are comfortable,
there is no need for close culling un-
less some of the birds give external
evidence of poor production and un-
profitable type, when they should be
eliminated from the flock. If, on the
other hand, the fowl are crowded
closely together in the house, punched
and famed in corners, or obliged to
stand most of the time. the least pre-
possessing fowl should be culled i'm
mediately from the rest of the flock.
The warm days in late summer are Sc
we're enough on the pullets where they
are maintained under the most favor
able conditions, but where the i'll ef-
Ifects of extreme heat are combined
with the disastrous results which oc-
cur from lack of sufficient housing
space, it borders on the miraculous II
the young fowl develope into any
thing but Improbable insists.
Drop Poor Male Birds.
Subsequent to the separation Of
the cockerels from the pullets. the
male birds should also be culled ,aonly
the largest, choicest, most vigorous
and best type birds retained for breed
ing purposes, while their less promis-
ing mates should be marketed i'm
mediatly if they are in a fairly fat
condition. Under average conditions
it does not pay to fit and condition the
surplus cockerels for the poultry
market, as the best plan Is to feed the
young stock at all times a bountiful
ration of growing and fattening feeds
SO that whenever culling Is practiced
the undesirable fowl will be in fairly
good condition for early consumption
on the family table. furthermore. feed
ing the young stock in this manner
means that the pullets are fit and
prime for active service in the egg-
laying line.