The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1923-11-01
Put Everything in Order this Month

The past months have been ideal
indeed and up to this writing, Octo-
Der 20, there has been scarcely day
that has caused us TO think OF ap-
preaching winter weather. VIII
Jack Frost catch us mapping, as he
has so often in the past? Surely
we have had time to set our house in
order, but have We? There is now
no time to be lost. Don't delay get
ting the poultry buildings in perfect
winter condition any longer. Now
is the time to prepare so the birds
can have proper protection when the
cold weather sets in.
Cold fall winds and rainy weather
are past due and are often much hard
err on fowls than the extreme cold
winter weather. See that all the
birds roost in the houses these nights,
but don't for any reason begin to close
the houses. Leave the fronts wide
open. Give the fowls plenty of
fresh air and get them used to it, but
watch that no draughts reach the
birds while on the roost. y
Don't let them crowd and become
over heated. Give each flock plenty
of roosting room. See that they are
separated when they bunch upon the
roosts at night. Don't forget to have
plenty of clean litter in the houses
from now on.
Scatter a little scratch feed in the
litter two or three times day SO as
to get them used to scratching in deep
litter, then they won't mind being
confined when the proper time comes.
Variety of feed is what fills the egg
basket. Corn three times day as
a rule builds up fatty tissue, makes
hens lazy and reduces profit. Ground
grains, ground meat, fish and dried
buttermilk and green cut alfalfa clo
yer is a we'll known commercial lay
ing mash, 1t is recommended that this
mash be placed in feed hoppers or
boxes where the hens and pullets can |
have ready access to 1t.
1t requires skillful feeding to main
tain a high average production dur
ing fall and winter months. The ex-
perienced poultryman, as we'll as the
novice, is likely to oyerfeed with an |
improper ration during this period. |
There is a disposition to feed freely |
cracked corn or corn and oats instead
of well balanced scratch feed and
this is a mistake as it Is the variety |
of grains that is largely responsible |
for the health and production of the
flock.
Your hens will want dust-bath this
winter. The hens work the dust into
feathers and down to the skin and this
smothers every insect of every kind |
that comes in contact with 1t. In |
sects cannot live when there Is plenty !
of dust.
Do not carry into winter quarters !
more birds than you have room for. |
Over-crowding causes poor results, /
sickness and loss Allow at least |
four square feet of floor space for each |
bird and remember that more feet are |
still better.
II you desire to promote the produc-
ton of eggs during the winter, you
must begin early In the season. The
pulets should be literally fed on such |
ration as will induce the perfection OF |
bodily maturity. A vigorous body
able to endure the strain that pro-
duction demands.
Lice breed rapidly in every season |
and precaution should be taken TO
keep the birds free of them. Use
plenty of good louise powder and some
lIauAl louse-killer around the roosts,
n6SSs and In all cracks, corners, etc. !
&C. |. Davis. Poultry Specialist for
Grandin Milling Co., manufacturers
of Red Flag Poultry Feeds.)