Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1919-08-29
DON'T CROWD YOUR
CHICKENS AT NIGHT

Biddy's boudoir must be spacious,
commodious and amply roomy so that
the pullets will not be crowded to-
gether and packed in as tightly as
spectators ct a world series ball
game. 1t is essential to provide
plenty Of house space--and partic-
ularly floor and roost space for all
the young birds in the flock, as moth
ing is more permanently injurious
and detrimental to the rapid and eco
nomical development of the birds
than congested quarters. The growth
of young fowl is stunted and pre-
together in close confinement, A safe
rule is to allow at least three or four
square feet of floor space in the
poultry house for each mature bird.
August and September are particu-
larly propitious periods for culling
the young stock and remedying the
tenement house" conditions which
obtain among many American f1ocks.
The young stock should be carefully
examined, handled and judged to as
certain whether or not they possess
the makings of profitable producers.
All the weaker chickens and those
that are not thrifty and doing we'll,
as we'll as youngsters which are not
feathering sufficiently faSl and show
ing the proper amount of growth,
should be culled from the fiock.
From August Is to September l also
is a desirable time to separate the
cockerels from the pullets, limiting
each sex to special coops, houses and
runs, so that they cannot mingle.
Trouble Prom Cxowding
The overcrowding of young stock
at night in congested lodgings is the
frnlI in
that the birds which are packed close
ly together become overheated and
perspire freely so that when they
go out into the cold air of early
morning they are extremely subject
to catching cold. This indisposition
favors the DEVELOPMENT of roup and
similar troubles, which, once they
are established in the flock, are diff
fcult to eradicate without dispensing
the flock.
Every poultryman should take a
census of his young stock and at the
same time should investigate hts
housing accommodations during the
late summer in order that the pullets
he retains in the .tiock as future pro-
ducers may have plenty of room in
which to develop properly and a sur
plus of space for their comfort at
night. The gauge for the determine
ton of whether che pullet mock
appearance of the birds at night. If
the flock is uniformly spread our
over the floor so that all the howl
are comfortable, there is no need for
close culling unless some or the
birds give external evidence. OF poor
when they should be eliminated from
the flock. If, on the other hand, the
fowl are crowded closely together in
the house, punched and jammed in
the corners or obliged to stand most
of the time, the least prepossesslng
| fowl should be culled Immediately
| from the rest of the flock. The warm
DAYS in late summer are severe
enough on the pullets where they are
mainland under the most favorable
| conditions, but where the. Ill eTects
| of extreme heat are combined wltn
the disastrous results which occur
| from lack of sufficient housing space
it borders on the miraculous if the
young fowl develop into anything
but Improbable misfts.
Drop Poor Male Birds
Subsequent to the separation or the
cockerels from the pullets, the male
birds should also be culled, only the
best type birds being retained fol
breeding purposes, while their less
promising mates should be marketed
| Immediately if they are in a fairly
fat condition. Under average con.
ditions it does not pay to fit ane
condition the surplus cockerels foI
the poultry market, as the best plan
is to feed the young stock, at al
| times beautiful ration of grow
ing and fattening feeds so that when
ever culling is practiced the unde.
Condition for early consumption or
the family table. Furthermore, feed
| ing the young stock in this manner
means that the pullets are tit and
prime for active service in the egg
| LAYING line.