The Question Bos. 337 



A Farmer. — Old earthen ware, made fine, makes a good grind- 

 ing food for young chicks. 



Give some ideas for making a home-made chicken brooder? 



No one present knew how to make a brooder. Mr. Van Alstyne 

 said that he believed it would not pay to attempt to make a home- 

 made affair. 



Which makes the best hen house, stone or wood? 



Mr. Ward. — Wood, every time, for cows, horses, sheep, hens or 

 anything else. 



Should hens be shut up when the weather is cold, or be allowed to run 

 about? 



Mr. W^ard. — If one has a shed not open to the weather, perhaps 

 it would be better than a very warm hen house. Give them ex- 

 ercise, but in no exposed place. 



How is it best to give water to hens? 



Mr. Everett. — We water our hens in a galvanized iron pan two 

 inches deep. The object is to have the pan so shaped that the 

 hens won't get into it. 



wnat will make hens lay eggs? 



A Lady. — Plenty of good food. 



Dr. Smead. — As a rule, the ladies are the most successful 

 poultry-raisers, and I wish the lady would tell us. 



The Lady.— I can't talk. 



Dr. Smead. — Then I will give my method. First have the hen 

 house warm, light and dry, and free from vermin. Then feed 

 wheat, skim-milk, meat scraps and vegetables, scatter the grain 

 ration in the litter on the henhouse floor and make the hens 

 scratch and work for it. 



How can you distinguish a hen that is laying eggs, from one which is 

 not? 



Mr. Converse. — By the color of her comb, and the way the hen 

 appears when you go into the pen. Sometimes a hen gets too 

 fat; in that case she presents a sluggish appearance. 



