Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1922-02-02
Interesting Facts About Poultry
Raising.

reau concerning poultry raising, from
which we take the following article:
When a poultryman has been sue
cessful with large flock FOR an eS-
tended period his methods of feeding,
ETC., assumes an added importance
J. n. Daniels, near Shenandoah juno
ton, came to the conclusion that there
is more money in poultry than in gen
eral farming and erected on the farm
a modern poultry plant, and installed
incubators. Last year his flock of
425 White Leghorns averaged l72
eggs per hen. His sales of eggs and
fowls amounted TO 50, 673.54, AMI he
sold 1000 baby chicks for $3.50 His
flock was increased by 80 pullets,
which at Sl.5O each Ia low estimateD
are worth S225. His gross returns
therefore for the year from his 425
fowls amounted to S2,673.54, and he
grades and ships his eggs to eastern
points. The highest net price re-
ceivcd per dozen last year was 90
cents in December and the lowest p
cents in May. The average price for
November was 81 cents and for De-
cember IS cents. Mr.. Daniels grain
ration is composed of two parts corn
and one part wheat Eight quarts
per 100 hens are fed daily in a deep
litter (Which is renewed every two
weeks). The mash consists Of 100
pounds each OF cornmeal, middlings,
bran and meat scrap, with 80 pounds
of oil meal, 8 pounds charcoal and
one pound of salt. This is kept be-
| fore the fowls in self-feeding hopperS,
placed on platforms SO that the fowls
cannot scratch the litter into the feed.
Moistened mash is fed at noon. Sprout-
ed oats is fed at or 2 p. m, | SO.
in. per hen. Even on nice days in
the winter time the fowls are kept con-
| fined until 2 O'Clock, when they are
turned into lot sown to kale. Mr..
Daniels has an extensive knowledge of
poultry and is always glad to give any
information concerning his methods.
He has installed an electric light plant
and has an ingenious home made
"mixer" for the mash.
1t IS interesting to know the diff
ferent methods OF feeding used by
local poultrymen who have been sue
cessful in obtaining large egg produc-
ton. The high egg record of Marion
Gano's flock was given recently His
method of feeding was unusual. He
kept a commercial scratch grain be-
fore the fowls constantly instead of
feeding il twice day in litter. He
also kept dry mash before them and
fed a wet mash once day, and also
sprouted oats. He believes the high
record attained was due in large part
to the use of electric lights Usually
flock will eat too much grain if kept
constantly before them.
H. T. Murphy, of Berkeley Station,
has made money on poultry as a side
line TO his regular vocation. He has
given poultry keeping much study
and gets yearly high egg record from
his pure-bred stock. At the time of
recent visit to his place his flock
of l4O Wyandottes was giving him a
daily profit of Sl.7O above the cost of
feed. He feeds a mash compound of
100 pounds each of corn meal, alfalfa
meal, and meat scrap, with 200 pounds
of mill feed and 90 pounds of rolled
oats. This is kept before the hens in
dry form and wet mash is fed at
noon. He also feeds sprouted oats
and cabbage, the latter hung on
strings to make the hens exercise.
About four gallons of scratch feed
two parts corn and one part wheat
are fed daily in the litter, the great
er part being fed in the evening. Mr..
Murphy recently built large laying
house after plans drawn by himself.
He buys all of his feed His total
sales last year amounted to S74O and
his profit, above feed expense, S22S.-
40. When wet mash is used it is
generally fed at noon, but J. c. Heinz,
OF Kearneysville, feeds il in the eve
ming. His flock of 200 Rocks has
given fifty per cent lay since Decem-
Der 10th. Last year he fed much
heavier than this year and his flock
gave a s'xty-five per cent lay for sew
eral months. He believes the heavy
feed OF mash with the regulation
amount OF meat scrap injured his
fowls and this year in the mash he is