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HOME AND FARM MA'GAZINE SECTION
Raising Poultry in America Making It a Profitable
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Many experiment poullrfmen contend
4 Hint hen-brooded chlekn nro belter, tlronger
and more tleroroun (linn those itrown In
arllflrlnl brooders. Tliln question eer-
Slnlnly open to detinte, but It l undeniably
true that hem will, under proper con-
dillona, renr chick of Well quality and
I ultli n mini I pcrrcnlnte ot Iom,
Ttiei folloubiK contribution Ii lull or
bflpful Information regarding tlic proper
nmnngt-mcnt of tlio mollicr hem and their
broods.
iiv ritor. rnnonnio it. btonebuiw.
T IS an easy matter to rniso a few
ciiIcltB with hens, but an ontiroly dif
ferent proposition to grow a largo
number, through excluslvo uso of tho
natural method of brooding. Thla ex
plains why tho artificial method of
brooding Is used almost exclusively on '
most commercial poultry farms.
Tho time required to properly attend
to a single brood of IS chicks Is not
worth considering. But when one has
1G00 chicks divided Into 100 llttlo flocks,
bcattered about over a considerable area,
each demanding attention sovcral times
dally, tho detail work demanded soon
grows tlrcsomo.
It Is so much easier to attend to tho
same number of chicks In a convenient
brooder house, or to thrco flocks of 600
each under colony brooders, that fow
poultrymcn stick to tho old raothod
nfter they have reached a point whero
tholr flocks of chicks arc really largo In
size.
lli'iiltruoled Chicks I'lefctTcd.
This Is not an Intimation that it Is
Impossible to grow many chicks by tho
natural method. In certain sections ot
the country, notably In New England,
many poultry fnrraors who maintain very
largo flocks of fowls depend upon broody
hens to hntch and rear nil tho chicks.
I) tit it will bo observed that theso men
have studied tho problem carefully and
have provided the equipment which en
ables them to most conveniently nnd
efficiently care for tjic hens and their
broods. Unless some system Is applied
to this work, one need not expect to sc
curo entltcly satisfactory results. Tho
more Important details of management
nro presented below. In general, theso
apply to almost any poultry plant. Minor
details may be changed to meet tho pe
culiar conditions surrounding each par
ticular en so.
Proper feeding Is of primary import
ance. This matter w'as fully discussed
In a recent Issue of this publication, and
tho points then brought out will not bo
icpeatcd hero. However, It might bo well
to Ktnto that the feeding problem is
really simpler when tho chicks are moth
ered by hens than when grown in brood
ers. This Is not duo to any dlffcronco in tho
chicks, but rather to tho conditions sur
rounding them. Each hen Is usually given
but ti small number of chicks, and,
ns n rule, these small broods are per
mitted to havo considerable liberty. In
tho brooder, from GO to GOO chicks nro
kept In one flock and In many cases
they aro confined In yards of relatively
Mil a 11 size. Tho hen-brooded chicks mny,
thcreforo, pick up much natural food,
ns worms, Insects, fresh green stuff, nnd
the like, nnd they further hnvo tho ac
tivo assistance ot tho hen In finding theso
tidbits. Tho brooder chicks, on tho other
hand, must depend upon tho nttcndnnt
to Biipply ovor thing which they need
in tho way of foodstuffs.
When feedlug chicks with hens, espe
cially whoro oxponslvo chick feeds aro
used, It Is advisable to piovldo n special
feeding placo for tho youngsters, so nr
lnngcd that tho mother hen cannot get
nt tho costly ration. Feed hor on any
ordinary grain mixture which is less ex
pensive. Tho disposition of the mother hen Is
nlso nn important matter. Some bens
nro naturally motherly, kind nnd atten
tive to tholr broods, pleasant to manage.
Theso will usually rear a largo percentage
ot the chicks intrusted to them.
Others, with equally good Intontlons,
nro clumsy, stepping upon and crushing
many of tho chicks, still othcrB nro
nonniis nnd flighty or cross nnd quarrel
come. Such birds may moro profitably
be returned to tho !alng flock and their
(hicks given to the dcpcndnblo kind.
Select .Mother lions Willi Care.
Tho observant poultrymnn can usually
ph'k out tho unsatisfactory Individuals
vhllo thoy are Incubating or very shortly
nfter they aro given chicks. And it pnjs
lo watch this matter caroftilly.
The construction of tho brood coop Is
next In Importance, u is most short
sighted policy to provide coops which will
meet the requirements of tho llttlo fam
ilies onl wheii tho most fnvoinblo con
ditions obtain. Tar better, design nnd
build them In such a way that thoy will
fully serve their purpose under tho worst
pomlblo conditions. Then thev will sure
ly be entlsfactor nt other times.
Chicks, like adult fowls, lequlrc quar
tern which nre dry, well-ventllntcd, light
im kuiiii, anu roomj. Further, they
must bo protected against tho nttneks of
tho many enemies that besot them.
Dryness Is mcroly n mattor of caroful
construction. A cheap box may bo mndo
weather-proof by ineroly tacking on a
covering of tar paper or roofing mato
rlal. Board floors, especially when Bllght
ly elevated nbovo tho ground level, will
prevent dampness from working up un
derneath, Amplo ventilation mny bo secured In
a variety of wnys. A small coop which
is virtually open in front will always bo
well ventilated, whllo freo from moving
currents of air. .
Make llrood Coops Itoomy.
Possibly the greatest fault of tho aver
age brood coop is its Biuall size. A coop
18 inches square will servo as n slcoplng
room for a hen nnd brood of lisunl size,
but It is ontiroly lundequato during
stormy days when tho flock must ot
necessity remain under cover. When a
thriving flock is confined in such small
spneo for two or thrco days at a time,
as in tho enso ot rainy spells which bo
frequently occur during Spring and early
Summer, tho results will bo noted in
checked growth and general unthrlftl
ncss. Since a well-built coop will gtvo good
service for many years and tho saving
of only two or thrco chicks will pay
for the additional cost of a roomy coop,
it is mighty poor business policy to inako
this structuro too smnll for comfort and
efficiency.
Virtually all night-prowling cnomlcs
will bo baffled through tho uso ot n tight
floor and having all openings In side
walls covered with closo-meshed wlro
netting.
A necessary adjunct to the coop Is a
small run or yard which confines tho lion
whllo permitting the chicks to have their
freedom. As a rulo It Is best to keep
tho mother at homo until tho chicks nro
well started in life, strong enough to fol
low hor on tho long Journeys sho will
usunlly take If given her freedom.
Of course, tho hen may bo kept con
fined In tho coop Itself, but sho will bo
more contented nnd keep In batter con
dition If permitted to cxcrclso In tho
open nlr and scratch and wallow In tho
dirt. Further, if permitted to got out
side whoro sho can survey tho territory
around her home, sho will often snvo
many chicks by sounding tho nlarm when
danger threatens.
A very satisfactory yard may bo In
expensively constructed of ordinary laths,
by tacking theso on A-shnpcd frames.
Tho end noxt to tho coop Is loft open,
but both sides nnd tho other end nro In
closed with laths nnllcd on somo thrco
Inches apart. In such a run tho hen can
sco all that is going on, can tako tho
cxcrclso she requires, and tho chicks may
run in and out ns they plcaso.
In Europo commonly, and to somo ex
tent In America, tho exercising yards aro
dtsppnscd with nnd tho hens kept nt
homo by tethering thorn to tho coops, to
weights or to pegs driven into tho ground.
A stout string of sufficient length is at
tached to ono leg, tho other end being
secured as nbove. Tho hens very quickly
learn Just how far thoy can travel nnd
thoy soldom," if ovor.j lnjitro thcmnolvdi
by too vigorous pulling on their tother.
Cleanliness is nlso necessary. Tho
coop floor should bo cleaned at frequent
Intervals nnd coop nnd run moved to
fresh ground every fow days. It Is al
ways advisable to keep tho floor covered
with fresh, dry earth. This sorves tho
double purposo of scaling up tho drop
plugs and mnklng easy the work of
cleaning.
An occasional coat of whltownsh, or
Bpraylng with somo good dlBlnfectnnt
are desirable in order to keep tho In
terior In sanitary condition nnd dis
courage tho activities of lice nnd mttcs.
These llttlo pests will, if not checked,
virtually ruin any brood thoy attack.
Tho various kinds of body lico aro best
fought with good llco-kllllng powdors or
ointments. Hen and chicks Bhould bo
carefully examined nt Intervals and vig
orous treatment given ns required.
The blood-sucking mites llvo in cracks
and crovlces in tho wnlls and floor of
tho coop. Cleanliness nnd frequent Bpray
ing with powerful disinfectants will at
tend to them.
Growing Chicks Itequiro Shade.
Tho chicks should bo given access to
plenty of shndy places under low-growing
trees and buBhes, tracts of growing
corn or other similar crops. By early
Summer the scantily clnd youngsters
suffer from tho rays of tho sun, nnd If
natural shado is not available, cloth
covered frames or heaps of evergreen
brush should bo provided. Piles ot brush
covered with pumpkin or squash vines
mako ideal shelters and furnish snfo re
treat against tho attacks of crows or
hawks.
Tho chick range should not bo too
thickly populated. Overcrowding Is n
most common fault and brings on a train
of evils. Allow ench brood plenty of
space. You will grow moro nnd bottor
chicks under such conditions.
Frequently circumstances compel tho
chick raiser to grow many chicks on n
limited nren. It then becomes his duty
to pay particular attention to tho task
of keeping tho soil In good condition.
This Is best accomplished by frequent
nnd thorough cultivation, using cither tho
spado or tho wheel hoo to turn tho Biir
faco under nnd bring fresh earth to tho
top. Growing green crops aro n big holp,
too. Patches of grass, clover or rape
mny bo started under wlro-covered
frames, tho latter being removed as soon
ns tho plants hnvo becomo thoroughly
established.
Watch the water supply. Tho young-
BUSim
Mil -i "
ouuuiU bo eU.
,sn,''ntreamft?1H
"IIIIU Oil tin.,11- " t .
Lt tho czr i. lt?
'i"i C?V5j
hatch is ovc?1 'l
".v.. new quar( " """eft,
., Carry tho chick. h
.oheDun(Iw;5la,t0I
vlus,1al,I.A
.SS3.SSft5S!
uuuuicu lip" If .,. lMlUn
Pls hens rcturncTNu
From 10 to t .? ft !
ason of tho p AZ
kuuu success from m.i ""m
r0 chicks togX a 0ltt,N
Curiously cnou&i.1.!
quarreling under m rB
twohens'aroSt1'
quinine tno chicks Wii '
day or so, then -55 .?..
Thoy will not WMdtt?1?!
tll they Raln Ttr 1'
uciease tho brood, cin, ,?
ing. It U rank f oIIt t w ' "
fined for many ho '?
or tlic most successful
I have met known m a
rule to lot his chtekitffij
Keep an ejoonthente,.
Sco that thoy have .tahM
ircsiMator. Keep coon ufa
Close the coop, up imhJJH
watch the llttlo chaps trot!
(Cop) right, ion, tyMteili,Uu,T
Modestr.
It must not be supposed tty
me miiscr quoted SbakcMi
or not to uo"-!n.hlsorirJa,j
ma .Majesty is a good Sub
Tho contrary mav i .-.i...
incident which occurred it 1 1
ono oi tno Hcrlln embattle
An English diplomat tu i
somo big affair of the u
lOdV. "As mir Immnri.l
observed." thn itini.i
"Thcro Is a tldo la the i&ijj
mat, mitcn at tno flood, lain
tune.' "
Tho Kaiser looked potild. 'j
-mar. is quite true, he Vi
navo acquiesced, "but i Jor
BfOlng It." London Tit-Bin';
- -., j
WHITE ORPINGTONS.
CfSfe ;
YfUfiWiittiifflu .!,. a, w-. '-?2vs'?m'mm7i'V'1. iv ii
TCBMttKJ&TO L' ' - r ''"sasassK-iC MM
mL'u'w
The Orpington U an KnslUh ccneral-purposo fowl. flrt pro.luco'uTn 1880. and generally Introduced Into AmerUtJ
:. . 7 .'.'... : "-"- ".ii iu a mir ucBreo or rorfcction. Tho whlto vnrloty Is puro wiine m y." ---
v rZ m t ? . BhnnkBJ MalM wclB" S'4 nnU 10 Pndsi females, 7 nnd 8 pounds, acordlne to '
ury satisfactory producers of brown-shellcd cccn. nn.i ..nv nt n j i,. u. t,i. nnuiirv. Th
Innted by the late William Cnolt tuim nr..i.,.i . ... .. . .. .. . .u. -
.. W. b,nck variety was tho' fim to n"?
Somo breeder hnlil tlmt th .v,i. ...,.... . . . . ... . .... t...,t. lit! d '
Inated. Others believe that 3 C.n , V. VVi. .". ," .V.U . " ne.umcK: . W w ? .Tar" " " "J "mil, Ul
Inrlclnfi- 11... ...I....... i. 7 v'' "reni ujooa, COniUllllnP tnat OJ tno uiock jiuiii.m ' VlMf!l4
maites oxcenont tauio paunrj. - - ,.
Mr. Cool: first produced this new tort mm"
aU by other varieties, as the nw klndnt"'
Manv wlilte varieties of other breed '
White DortlrS I ti. a.Vv. . T' e"UrC,y l11fferent Wood, oomWnlnir that of tho Black Ilambor. TO.J
It Is certain v deArv.nJ nf Z " ??"? lho "iit of this akotch U a true Orplnston iu shape and "
l" iSKiSfVy -bother operatln, a commercU.
Ntock.
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