THE FARM AND GARDEN. 



©HE ^oulthi^y yAr^D. 



DIFFICULTrES DURING INCUBATION. 



By P. H. Jacobs, Wayne, III. 



tJccasionally the seasons seem to present diffi- 

 culties not before encountered, such as poor 

 results from the eggs, deformities of chicks, and 

 loss of adult fowls. This season the poultrymen 

 appear to have had more than the usual share of 

 drawbacks. Quite a number of inquiries have 

 come respecting the failures, and yet, the major- 

 ity of the troubles can be traced to one cause, 

 vtiich is overfeeding. When eggs are used froiii 

 •over-fat fowls, the chances are not favorable to 

 good results from incubation, Nature teaciies a 

 lesson in that respect. It is seldom that a hen 

 poor in flesh will set. She apparently stoi-es up 

 fat to a certain extent before going on the nest, 

 and comes off somewhat reduced. She usually 

 -eats but once a day after beginning incubation, 

 and imparts all her bodily heat to the eggs. Sit- 

 ting is partly hibernation, and the hen makes 

 preparation for the event as systematically as do 

 those animals that become excessively fat and 

 •sleep away the winter hours. We may conclude, 

 therefore, that the hens are not in a proper con- 

 (dition for laying when they are too fat. 



Eggs from fat hens are sometimes very thin- 

 «helied. We may feed lime, oyster-shells, bones, 

 or any other substances, but such articles do not 

 show any good results with over-fat hens, for the 

 reason that they are in a diseased condition, and 

 become egg-bound, while the organs of reproduc- 

 tion are in an unhealthy condition. When such 

 hens lay, the eggs do not always hatch, and if 

 they produce chicks, they are often weak and 

 deformed. It is the same with live stock of all 

 kinds. Mares, cows, sows, and ewes, when very 

 fat, make poor breeders, and either remain bar- 

 ren or bring forth weakly ofi^springs. The cocks 

 ^are also clumsy and impotent when very fat, 

 feeing useless and unserviceable. When the fowls 

 :are very fat they become subject to diseases, 

 make inferior layers, produce infertile eggs, as a 

 rule, and their offsprings, if any, will be weak 

 .and inferior. 



Among the difficulties is that of deformity. 

 -Chicks have their heads thrown back, and topple 

 over, without the ability to stand, while others 

 have deformed feet, the toes turning in. These 

 difncullics not only come from the over-fat par- 

 ent, but also from too much heat during incuba- 

 tion. When the heat in an incubator sometimes 

 reaches a degree or two above the proper tempera- 

 "ture for a few days, or even when tlie hens on the 

 nests are very fat, and sit closely, we meet with 

 these drawbacks. The large breeds are more 

 subject to them than the smaller, while chicks 

 from confined fowls are not as exempt as are 

 those from hens running at large. 



The reason why the seasons appear to operate 

 In the matter is because during some years the 

 ::8pring is backward and the hens do not have the 

 privilege of exercise as soon as at other times. 

 "The best remedy is to endeavor to so feed as to 

 prevent the hens from becoming too fat. To do 

 so, avoid corn, and at times wheat, also, making 

 oats the only grain used, the feed being given in 

 such manner as to compel the hens to scratch 

 -and find the grains. To keep the hens active, is 

 as important as working a horse, for they become 

 ■dissatisfied under confinement unless kept busy. 

 During the spring and summer, if the hens have 

 a grassy run, they may be given a feed of oats at 

 night, with wheat and a little meat twice a weeic, 

 which will keep them in a healthy laying condi- 

 tion, and tlie eggs will then hatch. For fowls in 

 confinement, grass should be chopped fine and 

 thrown to thi-m. If allowed plenty of grass, they 

 will need but little grain food, which should 

 rflways be given at night. 



water runs off when it returns to the surface. 

 But the young, having no such protection, 

 becomes cliilled, and soon succumbs. 



Young ducks grow faster than chicks, and are 

 subject to fewer diseases. At first, the ducks and 

 goslings should be fed on bread soaked in milk, 

 chopped onions, and hard-boiled eggs. When 

 they are three days old, the feed may be varied, 

 but no grain is necessary until they are one week 

 old, when they may be fed anything they will 

 eat. Keep them confined in a small, dry yard 

 j until the down changes, when they will be safe. 

 The wet grass is more dangerous than ponds. 



DUCKS AND GEESE. 



Ducks are profitabli^ wlun entire attention is 

 given them. As a rule, ducks are given full lib- 

 erty to roam at will, and receive but very little 

 care. Hundreds of young ones are annually 

 destroyed by turtles, hawks, cats, minlcs, and 

 skunks. Unlike young chicks, they are not kept 

 under surveillance at first, as the majority of 

 persons suppose they muM have water for their 

 comfort, in which to sport and bathe. The fact 

 is that there is nothing more injurious to a young 

 duck tlian water, not only from the i>onds and 

 streams, but also from the young grass. The 

 same may be said of goslings, although the adult 

 birds take them to the water as soon as possible. 

 When ducks and goslings come out of the shells, 

 they are covered with down, which aftoi'ds no 

 protection against dampness. After the down 

 disappears, and feathers take its place, the case 

 is different. When an adult duck or goose swims 

 ■on the water, its skin is dry, as the feathers form 

 .a water-proof protection. If it dives under, the 



POULTRY FOR THE TABLE. 



There are quite a number of persons who keep 

 poultry for the purpose of having a supply for 

 family use only, without regard to their qualities 

 for market. Such persons care nothing for the 

 color of the legs or other exterior qualifications, 

 preferring a fowl of good quality only. Tlie best 

 breeds for tlie table are the Games, then theHou- 

 dans, Dorkings, Langshans, and Plymouth 

 Rocks. A cross of the Game with a Langshan 

 hen produces one of the best of fowls for the 

 table, and the same may be said of a cross of the 

 Game and Houdan. A regular succession of 

 crosses may be made by crossing the Houdan 

 with Langshan hens. Tlie next season cross 

 with the IJlack-red Game. Then follow with the 

 Dorking, and next with the Malay game. The 

 The Houdan may now be tried again, followed by 

 the Langshan, when resort may again be had 

 with the game. Occasionally the Plymouth 

 Rock may be used. The constant change of new 

 blood will give vigor, the chicks will grow fast, 

 and the hens lay well, while the table Qualities 

 will be first class. 



ERADICATING LICE. 



It is sometimes an easy matter to get rid of lice 

 on fowls, but the poultry house -is not so easily 

 managed. During this month the lice will be 

 active, and increase rapidly. It is no use to 

 attempt to rid the fowls of lice until the premises 

 are thoroughly cleaned, as such labor is lost. If 

 the houses are kept clean, the hens will, with the 

 use of the dust bath, clean themselves. To rid 

 the house of lice, first remove all filth trom the 

 roosts, floors, walls, and nests. Scrub the roosts 

 with coal-oil, not overlooking a single spot. Take 

 the nests outside, clean them out, and with a 

 white-wash brush apply a light coating of coal- 

 oil to them, inside and outside. Now touch a 

 lighted match to the nest boxes and let them 

 burn. No damage will be done, as the oil will be 

 quickly consumed, but such work should not be 

 done inside the houses. Now make a bucket of 

 whitewash, and add to it an ounce of liquid car- 

 bolic acid, and a pint of tobacco water, which 

 may be made by pouring boiling water over 

 tobacco refuse, and allowing the water to remain 

 over night with the tobacco. Apply the white- 

 wash profusely, and dust Persian insect powder 

 through the feathers of the hens, holding them 

 by the legs for that purpose. Do not use grease 

 on little chicks. Persian insect powder will re- 

 move lice from them. Little's chemical fluid is 

 an excellent article to use in place of the carbolic 

 acid, it being efficacious and non-poisonous. 



POULTRY SCRATCHINGS. 



The Yards.— A yard sixteen feet front and one 

 hundred feet deep, is small enough for a cock 

 and ten hens. 



Crosses.— A crossed fowl will always sit, and if 

 non-sitters are desired for next season, they must 

 be bred from pure breeds only. 



Culling the Stock.— Get rid of the worst 

 specimens by culling, then select next season's 

 breeding stock fro.n the remainder. 



Marketing Fowls.— Do not attempt to mar- 

 ket di-essed fowls this month, but sell them alive, 

 and you will give the commission merchants no 

 opportunity for selling out a lowprice in order to 

 prevent decomposition. 



Fences.— Wire netting answers well, but the 

 clieapest and most serviceable fence, in propor- 

 tion to cost, is one made of plastering lath. 



Feed The Waste.— Cabbage leaves, lettuce, 

 raddisli tops, and other refuse from vegetables 

 will be relished by the hens, and should be care- 

 fully saved for them. 



Save the Feathers.— Save the feathers from 

 all the fowls. Scald them thoroughly and dry 

 them as quickly as possible, keeping them well 

 aired until disposed of. 



Exhibition Fowls.— They are not always 

 the best for breeding purposes. A prize pair may 

 be well up in "points'" but deficient in many 

 other desirable qualities. 



COAL-oiL.— A mixture of half a teaspoonful of 

 coal-oil and a teaspoonful of castor-oil, is an ex- 

 cellent remedy for cholera, and will often cure 

 roup and other contagious diseases. 



Sitting Hens.— We would not advise hatching 

 hens this montli, unless with proper facilities, 

 but should the hens desire to sit, make the nests 

 in a cool place and the results will be more 

 satisfactory. 



Moulting.— In about six weeks some of the 

 hens will begin to moult. If so, keep them. Al- 

 ways dispose of the hens that moult late, but 

 retain those that moult early, as they will begin 

 laying before winter. 



Fattening Fowls.— The adults will fatten 

 more easily than will those that have not com.- 

 pleted their growth. Chicks seldom become very 

 fat. If the hens arc very fat, market them before 

 selling the young stock. 



The Profit.— One egg a week will pay for the 

 support of a hen. As the first egg must be deduc- 

 ted for expenses, consequently, the hen that lays 

 three eggs a week, produces twice as much 

 projit as the hen that lays two eggs. 



Prices of Eggs.— When eggs are low in price, 

 the food is also more easily procured. Hence, in 

 estimating the profit, not only the prices of the 

 eggs should be considered, but also the expense 

 of production in the shape of labor and food. 



Feather Pulling.— This vice will grow 

 among the confined fowls this month, unless 

 they are kept busily at work scratching. There 

 is no certain known cure for the difficulty, but it 

 may be partially prevented by not feeding too 

 highly. 



DOUGLA.S Mixture,— Though often repeated, in 

 in answer to inquiries, we will state that it is 

 composed of one pound of copperas, two gallons 

 of water, and one gill of sulphuric acid. Give the 

 fowls this mixture by adding a teaspoonful to 

 every quart of drinking water. 



Young Brahma.— They will be ■* leggy " for a 

 while, but after obtaining their height, they will 

 tliicken out. Do not, therefore, dispose of them 

 on account of objection to long legs, which is a 

 peculiarity of the breed. As a rule, the more 

 " leggy " at first, the larger the bird when 

 matured. 



The Drinking Water.— Of all months for 

 providing pure drinking water, July is the most 

 important. Impure water is a source of disease, 

 inducing cholera, and preventing egg production. 

 The fowls will often go thirsty rather than drink 

 warm water in summer, and, therefore, it should 

 be changed two or three times daily. 



Bantajis. — It is a good time now to hatch ban- 

 tams, though the fall is better. The game varie- 

 ties are the ratist popular, but the Sebriglits are 

 the prettiest. The Black Africans are the small- 

 est, but not so hardy. Bantams will mate with 

 the larger breeds, and should therefore be kept 

 in enclosures separate from other fowls. 



The Prices of Broilers.— Up to June 1st, the 

 prices in the Chicago markets have not been ' 

 below forty cents a pound, while at times they 

 have reached SIO per dozen. The sizes most in 

 demand were about 23o pounds per pair. In the 

 Eastern markets the seasons are somewhat ear- 

 lier, the best prices being realized in April, while 

 in Chicago, May is better. 



PUase mention THE FARM AND GARDEN. 



HAVE YOU GOT IT? 



POULTRY POWDER! 



The best prepiiratioTi of its kiiul. It (TUKS CllOIi- 

 ERA anri other (liseitses. A trial will (•< iiviiice 

 UMcrs ot'its merits, both as a rcniedv iuid Condition 

 I'owder. Ask ^-lllu' storekeeper to t;Ht ii lorvon Munu- 

 tactured by DIl. A. IH. DICKIE, OOYLCSTOWN. PA. 



INCUBATORS^ 



ThH SAVII)(;K. lOOIrcsN 



|I?CJ1.00. Din'.'r.'iil sr/.rs. 

 N«M«'r (aiU. s.ril uti Inal. 



. SAVID(;e, 2524 Huntingdon St., Phllail'a. Pa. 



25 



YEARS IN THE 



POULTRY YARD. 



16Lb Edition. 108 Pafjes. e.xplain- 

 iiiL^ the entire Imsiness. Gives 

 symptoms and best remedies for 

 all diseases. A 50-pai:e Illustrated 

 Ciitulogue. All for •IT-^Q. in stamps. 



A. M. LANG, 

 Cove Dale. Lewis Co. Ky. 



T HE POULTRY RAISEK 



41/ ..r 16 i.;ii'.- in.-li. 1»40 ■ 



ilk '•■■"■< -»"-«-> 



per 



Onlv SSi ceQ[ 

 Y.-jif tor 12 iiiii 



111 fiir fill.' l:irL,'i'sl iium 

 1 I'oiJl 

 \.lilri 



/THE POULTRY RAISER. 69 Dearborn St.. Chicago. 



