THE SEASONS AS AFFECTING POULTRY 
they get it the result will be better fertility in the 
spring. The reason why so many aged cock birds 
fail to properly fertilize the eggs is because they 
have been “‘ bred out,” as it were, by being kept 
constantly with females, wasting their reproductive 
and sexual powers unnecessarily for half of each 
year. 
Another thing that should be done as soon as 
the breeding season is completed is the disposal of 
all hens that are getting too old to be profitable 
and all that are not of the best quality from either 
the utility or fancy standpoint. Also dispose of all 
male birds which you are not going to breed from 
another year; feeding useless roosters does not 
pay, and the quicker they are gotten rid of the 
better. 
The drinking water supply is important. Do 
not, under any circumstances, compel or allow your 
fowls or chicks to partake of impure water. Water 
soon becomes stagnant and unfit for drinking pur- 
poses in hot weather, and should be changed often 
for the poultry. By all means keep the vessels in 
a shady location which is never reached by the sun. 
Rinse out the vessels each time fresh water is sup- 
plied, and scald and disinfect them every week 
or two. 
The best foods for summer use for old fowls 
are those that are the least heating and fattening. 
Oats and wheat are the two most common good 
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