50 HOW TO HATCH, BROOD, FEED AND PREVENT 



Always arrange the nests so that the hens can step in rather than 

 jump down; they are apt to break their eggs in jumping down. 



For the good of the flock remove any fowl that shows any signs of 

 being sick, even if the ailment is slight; it may save you a lot of grief. 



There is not very much danger of overfeeding chicks after they are 

 four weeks old, but they should be fed in some place to which laying hens 

 do not have access. 



Remember to keep the poultry house clean and free from filth of all 

 kinds. Filth is the source of most diseases. Lice will account for what 

 filth is not responsible for. 



There is a mistake made in buying extremely heavy weights for breed- 

 ing Select birds about the standard weight for the chosen breed and get 

 them thick fleshed and solid. 



Shut up the hen house as tight as possible, occasionally, and burn sul- 

 phur in it; the fumes will reach every crack and crevice and be death to 

 disease and vermin hidden there. 



There is no food as corrective in the way of a digestive that equals 

 charcoal. It is easily obtained because various forms of the article may be 

 made by the poultry raiser himself. 



Poultry in the orchards, in addition to thriving themselves, are of 

 great benefit to the orchard in that they destroy insects, bugs and worms, 

 and keep the trees in good condition. 



The swill barrel and often the slop pail have proved a watery grave for 

 many a fine chick. Covers over them will prevent this. Moreover, cov- 

 ered barrels and pails attract less flies than uncovered ones. 



Incubators that have been used all season should receive a good, care- 

 ful cleaning and be well aired and sunned before storing away. If your 

 incubator is a hot water machine, be sure the pipes are all perfectly dry. 



Do not put a floor in the poultry house if it is possible to have a per- 

 fectly dry one without it. If dampness is likely to get in, make a cement 

 floor and keep it covered with litter of some kind straw, leaves or hay. 



The road to success in poultry keeping which reaches the goal of profit 

 is not all smooth and level. When the road is most difficult the owners 

 must drive; for personal observation is necessary to avoid rocks that wreck. 



The every day welfare of the hen is a matter of method. Every streak 

 of ill luck that has assailed your ambitions can be traced to something 

 neglected, and that streak of ill luck can be traced to ourselves, but we do 

 not like to admit it. 



