LESSONS ON" POULTRY FOB RURAL SCHOOLS. 15 



Lessons on human hygiene, food, and digestion should be correlated 

 with those on poultry feeding, since the same principles apply in each. 

 A knowledge of one topic leads to an appreciation of the other. In 

 drawing classes have plans made for equipment (as in fig. 8), and 

 manual-training classes should make models to be used at home. 



LESSON FIVE. 



SUBJECT: WINTER MANAGEMENT OF POULTRY. 



EARLY DECEMBER. 



Topics for study. — Consider the need of dry floors, proper litter, dust 

 boxes. Provide ventilation. Use of open front instead of windows. 





Fig. 9.— An exhibit arranged to contrast what the average farm hen lays and what selected hens lay 

 when properly cared for. Ratio, So to 151. 



Value of sunlight. Ample range, especially for breeding flock. 

 Provide exercise for all. How control range of temperature? Clean- 

 ing nests, litter, and dropping board. (See management of poultry 

 manure on p. 29.) Watch roosts and nests for mites, lice, and 

 spiders. How disinfect? How sterilize water fountain? Varia- 

 tions in diet during very cold weather. Watch for signs of broodi- 

 ness and use "broody coops." Separate breeding stock from other 

 laying hens. Keep males from flock which lays market eggs. Keep 

 a daily record of everything. The importance of records may be 

 seen by referring to figure 9. 



In five egg-laying contests held in 1915, 2,375 hens-laid an average 

 of 151 eggs, while it is estimated that the average for farm hens in this 

 country is not over 85 eggs per year. This average of 151 eggs 

 included several hens which laid no eggs and several which laid over 

 200 eggs, the highest record being 314. It seems fair to claim that the 



