SUCCESS WITH PPULTRY 



59 



14. Do small chicks thrive as well on a floor as on the 

 bare ground? Ans. In a damp climate, sitting on the 

 groiind gives chills and rheumatism. A dry climate would 

 not furnish that objection, but rats and skunks easily work 

 into a floorless coop. I use a little dried sand and chaff to 

 remedy the hardness of boards, on the bottom both of coops 

 and brooder. '^ , 



15. Is cracked corn good for little ohicksf Ans. Yes, 

 for broilers. To future layers I would give cracked wheat 

 and rolled oats instead. 



16. How are corn and oats for laying hens? Ans. 

 Corn favors richness but not number of eggs. It is very 

 heating and fattening, therefore is suitable to feed winter 

 nights. Oats are fine as an occasional winter ration, but 

 their indigestibile, clogging hulls make them most suitable 

 for summer, when constipation does not prevail. 



17. I hav* been told not to cut up raw vegetables in 

 winter, because a hen's mouth is large, and she can swallow 

 chunks which stay and freeze in her crop. Ans. There is 

 no danger if vegetables are chopped 'reasonably fine. An 

 Eftglish veterinarian, who has examined scores of diseased 

 crops, never found a case like above. 



18. Why not put cayenne pepper in their food to make 

 hens lay? Ans. Pepper, like everything else which is a 

 stimulant and not a food, needs to be cautiously used. 



19. Is there danger of feeding too much ground bone? 

 Ans. There have been rep.orts of untimely molting caused 

 thus, but few poulterers are able to buy or prepare enough 

 for harm. I feed one ounce per fowl every third day. 



20. Are ground elam shells as good as bone, if you 

 can get the mas cheap? Ans. Shells contain more carbon- 

 ate of lime and answer for layers, but are not nearly so val- 

 uable for growing chicks as is ground bone containing phos- 

 phate of lime, like their own frames. 



21. If I give ducks fresh water they set to work at 

 once making it muddy as fast as they can. Do they need 

 pure water the same as chickens? Ans. I supply fresh 

 water twice daily for both ducks and hens, and all thrive 

 well. 



22. What is the best breed for an inexperienced person? 

 Ans. Probably some general-purpose breed, like Wyandottes 

 and Plymouth Rocks. 



23. In full blood Plymouth Kocks, are the male and 

 female of the same shade? Ans. The "American Standard 

 of Perfection" still requires the same color of plumage in 

 both, but there is considerable discussion on the matter, be- 

 cause the pullets naturally run darker than the cockerels, 

 and thus two breeding pens are often necessary in rearing 

 show birds. 



24. What is the origin of the Plymouth Rock? Ans. 

 It is a cross of Dominique and Black Java, with probably , 

 other slight mixtures. The breed is said to have been first 

 exhibited in 1867 by its originator, D. A.^TJpham, of Wilson^ 

 ville, Conn. Some strains by similar crosses may have been 

 produced independently of his work. 



25. How would a cross between Browii Leghorns and 

 Plymouth Bocks do for laying? Ans. The cross would, 

 probably, make a better layer than the Plymouth Eock and 

 a poorer one than the Leghorn. 



26. What is good for scurfy legs? Ans. Clean the 

 legs with soap'and water; then anoint with sweet oil or hen's 

 oil containing a little sulphur. 



27. Why did my little turkeys die when I greased them 

 for lice with kerosene, as told to do in a book? Ans. I, 

 myself, never advise kerosene; it is to severe. Scaly legs 

 dipped in it often become lame. Fowls are made crazy by 

 application on the head, etc. 



28. What do you give fowls with gapes? Ans. Purer 

 drinking water and cleaner yards, because gapes are usually 

 caused by a little red worm found in water and dew. Air- 

 slacked lime sprinkled over yards will purify them. If the 

 fowl swallows a piece or two of raw salt pork, size of corn 

 kernels, that may dislodge worms. 



29. What is a cure for cholera? Ans. Joseph Wallace 

 says there is no specific for genuine cholera. I would advise 

 killing bad cases at once. Give the others a little lime or 

 alum in their drinking water. If they mend, feed on bread ' 

 and milk and table scraps at first. Give the poultry quar- 

 ters, the well and the water dishes a better cleaning than 

 ever before. 



30. What causes spots of blood in eggs, and how may 

 we prevent them? Ans. Generally the hens are too fat; 

 hence, egg organs are crowded and there is a rupture of 

 some tiny blood vessels while the egg forms and passes. 



