Milford chronicle., 1929-07-05

The ancients of many races wor'
shipped the sun as a god. For cen
turies it has been used as symbol
of publication, and even in Christian
churches today we find our children
singing, Let Little Sunshine In.'
Until comparatively recently, how
ever, it was not suspected that there
was a real basis, in fact, for all this
symbolistic reverence for the sun.
Now, science tells us that the ul-
tra-violet rays of the sun perform at
least two very important services
for humanity and for animal life
generally. Certain harmful germ life
cannot survive in the presence of
these rays and certain chemical pro-
cesses necessary for proper physical
development cannot proceed without
them. Perhaps the most important
service rendered in this way is the
aid given to the growth of bony
structures inside the body. This is
particularly important to poultry
raisers.
We hear a lot about vitamines
these days. No one seems to know
just what they are, but quite a lot
is konwn about what they do and
that is the important thing. Of the
four known vitamines, Vitamin D is
the one needed to transform certain
mineral elements of food into bone
and eggshell. This important vita
mine is manufactured right in the
bodies of fowls by the direct action
of the violet rays in sunshine.
This is one reason why am al
ways insisting on open front poultry
houses and plenty of range space
for fowls. Every possible means
should be employed to expose their
bodies to the helpful action of sun
light. Of course, this does not mean
that they may not seek shade on
extremely hot days. Too much OF
anything is not good. Even in the
shade, in some cases, the ultraviolet
rays can reach the fowls in sutti-
cient measure to continue their good
work. Chicks that get plenty of sun
light will not develop "leg disease"
or ricketts,, and soft shell eggs will
be rare among hens of whom the
same thing is true.
Not the least of my reasons for so
ardently sponsoring the open front
type of house previously mentioned
in this article is the antagonism of
sunlight to unwelcome bacteria.
Here again we find the ultraviolet
rays responsible. They can penetrate
many substances which will not ad-
nit other light rays, but they can
not go through ordinary window
glass, consequently, if it should be-
come necessary to close up any part
of the front wall space ordinarily
intended to be left open, use a glass
substitute over a portion, and thin
white muslin or cheesecloth over the
balance. This will admit the ultra
violet rays and considerable fresh
air.
Before going very far with inclos-
ing hen houses, however, it is well
to remember that the less hens are
pampered, the better off they will
be. Pity for fowls merely because
they are cold is pity misplaced. Cold,
fresh air that has been purified by
sunlight is always preferable to the
warm, stagnant air usually found in
a closed house. Besides, it must new
er be forgotten that the closer a
house comes to being inclosed on all
sides, the more it is excluding the
indispensable elements that only
sunshine can provide in full meas
ure. 1t should also be remembered
that there is less sunshine in winter
than at any other time, so all the
more reason for taking the fullest
possible advantage of what is avail
able.
Finally, we must not overlook the
fact that, without sunshine, all of
the food products so necessary for
bodily development and egg produc-
ton would be valueless If not nom
existent. 1t is quite plain, there
fore, that the value of plain, every
day sunshine is something we can
not afford to take for granted. 1t
is a big, important subject and for
that reason I shall be glad to go
further into it with any poultry rails
er sufficiently interested to write me
in care of this newspaper.
Copyright, 1929
BY DR.. L. D. LEGEAR, v. S.)