410 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



sects and worms, and an abundance of seeds and grains going to waste 

 which poultry alone can utilize. Under such circumstances fowls take care 

 of themselves so well and are so energetic in seeking their food that they are 

 either forgotten and allowed to shift for themselves when they really need 

 attention and assistance, or they are regarded as a nuisance because they 

 sometimes do a little damage. When fenced away from the gardens and 

 flower beds, fowls do little damage and cause scarcely any annoyance on a 

 farm. On the other hand, they do an immense amount of good in the pro- 

 tection of crops by the destruction of injurious insects, larvae, and worms. 



COLONIES. 



Sometimes it is advisable to divide the farm flock into colonies and place 

 these at different points upon the farm in order to secure additional range, 

 to remove the birds temporarily to a distance from certain crops, or for 

 other purposes. In this case cheap, light, and easily handled colony houses 

 may be constructed and placed where the fowls are desired to range. After 

 being confined in these houses a few nights the birds will adopt them as 

 their habitations and return to them. 



POULTRY IN COMBINATION WITH SPECIALTIES IN FARMING. 



There are certain special lines of agricultural operations with which 

 poultry raising may be advantageously connected. In dairying there is 

 usually a large quantity of skim milk or buttermilk which may be utilized 

 to furnish a considerable part of the poultry ration. There is also much 

 food to be gathered by the fowls about the stables, manure piles, and 

 pastures which would otherwise go to waste. 



ADVANTAGES 9 ON FRUIT FARMS. 



Upon the fruit farm fowls are also of advantage. They keep down the 

 insect pests, and they may have a free range the greater part of the season 

 without the possibility of doing any damage. Plum growers have found 

 poultry especially helpful in keeping down the curculio, and even apples 

 have been considerably benefited. If small fruits are injured, they may, 

 of course, be protected by confining the fowls for the limited season when 

 the fruit is ripening. The waste fruits, either in winter or summer, are a 

 welcome and valuable addition to the poultry ration. 



POULTRY AND MARKET GARDEN. 



The market garden also furnishes a large amount of waste products which 

 may be utilized for poultry feed. There is the waste lettuce, the small heads 

 of cabbage, the unsold beets, carrots and potatoes, the pea, and corn 

 which can not be marketed for any reason, the waste of the small fruits, etc. 

 If properly cared for, the hens will bring a steady and reliable income dur- 

 the winter months. Dried clover and other green feed, roots, and tubers 

 should be saved for them during the summer. These should be steamed 

 and fed with the mash, or cabbages and beets may be fed raw. A catch 



