St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1919-05-10

AOIS VI pCOplS VIII hSCp pOulIly
think chickens will raise themselves
need only to be fed, or fed oc-
casionally, and that they should shed
eggs in unlimited quantities regard
less of feed or healthy conditions.
No flock of hens can be industrious
layers unless properly housed, fed
and kept in vigorous healthy state
the year round. To accomplish this
follow these instructions:
First-In any climate subject to
cold the flock must have warm well
ventilated house, and the rOost not
subject to draught, or in chilly
weather colds will result, followed by
roup, the worst of all poultry dis
eases and well nigh incurable.
Second-Cleanliness is indispensi-
BILE; therefore, each day, or at least
every other day, the droppings must
be removed If dropping board is
provided under the roost removal
becomes simple matter. At the
same time all other parts OF the hen
house must be swept clean Of every
vestige of filth, for 1t il filth that
breeds lice and mites, the greatest
pests to poultry.
Third-The inside walls of the
house should be whitewashed at least
every three months. Nests should
be examined every week. II you
find your hands covered with mites
in removing the straw the hens are
in the same condition, and strenuous
measures must be now adopted. Lice
are found by examining under the
wings and around the vent. Lice,
besides living on blood, must have
moisture, the latter being found
around the vent. Sometimes the yer
min supply themselves at the nos
trils.
Fourth-To rid the henhouse and
hens of lice and mites procure some
crude petroleum oil and some liquid
lice killer; most any STANDARD brand
will do. To one gallon of the Oil
add one-half pint of the lice killer.
mixing thoroughly. Remove straw
from the nests and floor and burn.
Sprinkle nests. floor and Walls copl-
ously.. Two applications semi
monthly will eradicate eVe'J poultry
pest on the premises. On the rcosts,
Just before dark, apply with a brush
the raw lice killer on top and under
meath the perches; saturate we'll.
Every louise and mite on the chick
ems will crawl to the end of the
feathers, and die from the poisonous
gases. Two applications will be suf-
ficient
Fifth-Being now clean from poul-
try pests keep clean every day in the
year, and chickens will be healthy
in proportion, but they must be kept
vigorous and in condition by proper
feeding. Once upon time the pro-
genitors of domestic fowls were
wild, living and breeding in the
woods, the same as live and breed
the partridge, quail and wild turkey
in the present day. The digestive
organs of the domestic fowls are
alike, and the former must be fed
as near alike as their progenitors
subsisted to insure vigor and health;
therefore,
Sixth-The feed should consist of
all kinds of seeds grown in this coun-
try that poultry will eat, and 1t is
better if they are mixed and in
cracked state. Many brands Of pre-
pared food are on the market, most
of them available and good, but be-
ware of the musty kind as it will
cause sickness and likely death. II
oats are fed they are better in a
steamed state, account of the sharp
dry hull being likely to perforate the
crop lining causing death. Keep dry
bran mash before them; scalded, it
aids digestion but don't feed it sloppy
or the bowels will move too freely
Gravel, cracked shells, charcoal, meat
green stuff and fresh water must be
kept before them every day.