The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1919-06-19

mer, u necessary
prepared by the United States Depart |
ment of Agriculture.)
Perhaps the fact that the early morn |
ing crow Of cbantlcleer does not ad-
Just itself to the daylight saving law
may explain why the rooster is un-
popular within city confines. Anyway,
the metropolitan prejudice against the
cock crow exists. To meet 1t the Unit
ed States department Of agriculture
suggests roOsterless fiocks. 1t is point
ed out that hens will lay just as well
without a rooster In the flock, and
eggs, not chickens, are the principal
product for which town dwellers keep
poultry. Where roosters are objections
able and 1t is desired to raise chicks
these can be purchased when q few
days old.
Small flocks Of laying hens in town
and city back yards are an important
branch Of poultry keeping. Though
the value Of each flock's product may
be small, the aggregate is large. The
product Of such flock, both In eggs
and fowls for the table, may be OBJ
tained at relatively low cost. because
Of the possibility of utilizing table
scraps and kitchen waste which would
otherwise be thrown away. A small
aock Of hens. even rs few as six or
eight. should produce eggs enough,
where used economically, for family
Of four or Ave persons throughout the
entire year. except during the molting
period Of the fall and early winter.
Small Flock Helps.
BY the preservation Of surplus eggs
produced during the spring and early
summer, the period of scant egg pro-
! duction can he provided for. The keep.
ing Of pullets instead of hens also will
insure the production Of eggs at this
time. Not only will eggs from the
home flock materially reduce the cost
Of living, but superior freshness and
quality are In themselves well worth
the effort expended. Eggs are highly
nutritious food and are SO widely used
as to be almost Indispensable, while an
occasional chicken dinner Is relished
universally.
objection is frequently raised to the
keeping Of poultry in towns and cities
because of the odor which may result,
and the noise made by the ROSTERS
growing. particularly in the early
morning. In some cases city regula-
tions have been formulated to control
poultry keeping. Where there are city
regulations 1t Is necessary to become
familiar with their provisions and to
conform to them. There Is no neces-
sity for the poultry flock to become a
nuisance to the neighbOrhOod when
dropping boards are cleaned daily and
the houses and yards are maintained
In sanitary condition.
Il The rooster need not be a source OF
annoyance. Unless 1t Is intended tC
hatch chickens from the flock 1t Is un
necessary to keep male bird. The
fact that there Is no male In the fioch
will exert no bad influence on the egl
output. AS rule, according to the
present practices of the leading poul
trymen. 1t is customary to dispose Of
the male birds just as. soon as ths
Matching season is over. This Is desir
able not only from the standpoint Of
eliminating noise. but also as fOo(
.. economy measure and In order tina
the subsequent production of eggs ma,
be infertile, as such eggs keep bettel
!. and are superior for preserving or fo
.. marketing. The suburban or city fiocl
|. Is often roosterless, while the hens ar
. required to observe restricted "mete
and bounds" SO that they will no
stray into the neighboring yards ant
. gardens.
!. oeneraI.Purpose Breeds Are Good.
One Of the general-purpose breeds
!, such as the Plymouth Rock, Wyan
!. dotte. Rhode Island Red, and Orpine
|, ton, is best adapted for general back
:. yard poultrying, the mature fowls O
. these breeds. because Of their large
q sire. making better table fowls tha
\ the Leghorns. while the young chlci
ems for the same reason make bette
), friers and roasters, as compared wit
: young Of the egg breeds which ar
:. only suitable as smaller broilers. Tn
' general-purpose breeds arc ais
: "broody." the hens making good slI
:. ters and mothers. which Is a decide
], advantage when It Is desired to hate
: aud to raise chickens, es the hens Q
the egg breeds seldom are broody an
n any event are unreliable sitters an
'uothera.
U Is advisable to keep some pur