112 SUCCESS WITH POULTRY 



cooked than on uncooked food has often been demonstrated It will be noticed that the Hamburgs gave the largest 



as correct by actual experiment, and a proof of the fact is number of eggs and the Brown Leghorns next, but* the Dor- 

 that those kept principally on food that is cooked grew kiiigs and Langshans made the largest daily' gain in growth, 

 away from those which are cared for equally well, except while the Cochins, though consuming enormously of food, 

 that their food was given them in a raw state. did not show its effect either in eggs or the first twenty 



Market poultrymen, who raise .chicks for the early days' growth. Taking the three highest for weight at six 

 market, give cooked food and find it to be necessary to se- months, the following was the result: 

 cure successful profits in the business; and if this is true, Dorkings weighed 10 pounds, 1 ounce and 685 grains, 



the thoroughbred poultry breeder will gain likewise in the Buff Cochins weighed 9 pounds, 13l^ ounces, 



greater size and rapid growth of his stock, and thus get Langshans weighed 10 pounds, 5 ounces and 437 grains., 



them ready for early sales, early shows and better prepared The greatest gain was made by the Langshans, but for 



to enter the winter months. The males can be disposed of the food allowed the Dorkings are entitled to the honor, 

 easier, the pullets will begin laying earlier, and the business We give the above as the result of experiments in England, 

 will prove more of a pleasure. In this country the conditions would be reversed perhaps. 



Cooked feed should be sufficiently dry to enable the Hamburgs seldom lay as many as 239 eggs, but in England 

 attendant to make it up into balls which will crack open the climate seems best adapted to both Dorkings and Ham- 

 when thrown out. burgs. In estimating the results, the kind of food should 

 A USE FOR WHEAT CSHAFF. be consfdered, which was not given. We use corn largely 



No better use can be made of wheat chaff than to use it ^^ *'^" country, and hence experiments here would be con- 

 as litter in the poultry houses, in which the hens can ducted differently. Chicks when ha,tched usually weigh 

 scratch and exercise. If a gill of millet seeds be scattered- ^^°^^ °°^ ^"^- one-half ounces, those from the large breeds 

 in the chaff the hens will work and hunt for the small seeds leaving an advantage. We hope some of our readers will 

 industriously until every one is found, and as the seeds are induct similar experiments, 

 so very, small, the hens will be more earnest and dUigent, HEATING POULTRY HOUSES. 



the seeds also being somewhat of a luxury. The chaff will Unless the weather is extremely cold the poultry house 



also assist in keeping the floor dry, thus adding to the -^^ii]. require no heat. It should, however, never be at a 



warmth and comfort of the poultry house during periods of low^er temperature than 40 degres above zero,, and this can 



cold or damp weather. be secured by properly lining a poultry house so as to pre- 



FEEDING WARM FOOD. ' vent the entrance of too much cold air. The windows will 



The poultryman who furnishes the flock with warm allow of the entrance and absorption of a large amount of 

 water twice a day, hits the nail squarely, and in this con- heat during the day, but at night the heat will be radiated 

 nection we say give them a good meal of warm feed on cold away if the glass is not covered on the outside with a piece 

 mornings, whether they be fancy fowls or running about the of batting or a shutter. But in regard to the best method 

 farm house. It will pay an either case as well as any in- of heating, we should suggest a stove with a sheet iron drum, 

 vestment you can make of your time. It may be made of a stove pipe being connected with tke drum so as to con- 

 almost any kind of ground grain or mixture of grains. We duct the heat to the extrelne end. Openings may be made 

 use a good deal of corn, ground cob and all together (quite in the stove pipe at proper distances,, to serve on the prin- 

 fine). This gives them a roughness of feed they cannot well ciple of registers for egress of the hot air, in order to warm 

 get in cold weather in" the absence of grass and such fill- every portion of the house. We do not say that a stOve so 

 ing feed. arranged will heat a large poultry • house, but it should in- 

 AMOUNT OF FOOD REQUIRED DAILY. crease the temperature sufficiently to prevent freezing of the 



In an experiment in England for the purpose of deter- ''°'^}'^ ''"^ wattles. Too much heat should not be desired, 



mining the daily amount of food consumed by different ^^^^ "^f "^^^^ ^^^ liens tender and more susceptible to 



,„-•■., J, in ■ • i.1. 14. colds and sudden changes, 



breeds of fowls, the following was the result: "^ augco. 



Dorkings 6 ounces 391 grains HENS IN WET WEATHER. 



Games 4 ounces 275 grains The- damp, wet seasons are more injurious to the fowls 



Buff Cochins . . . ., 17 ounces 296 grains than is the cold, dry weather of winter. 'Dampness is the 



Langshans 7 ounces 31 grains source of one-half the diseases. It is not so much the 



Dominicks 4 ounces 326 grains amount of water they come in actual contact with, as tne 



Brown Leghorns 4 ounces 398 grains constant humidity of the air and dampness of their sur- 



Hamburgs 4 ounces 120 grains rouudings. Damp weather means an accumulation of mud 



Polish 4 ounces 28 grains and filth in the yards and coops, which is always in a state 



Guinea fowls 4 ounces 182 grains of decomposition and a source of annoyance. To avoid this 



It will be seen that the Buff Cochins eat much more difficulty the coops should be cleaned daily and the floors 



than any of the other breeds, and to show the increase of sprinkled with fine, dry laud plaster or dry earth. The yard 



weight in proportion to food consumed it may be stated that should be drained, and every precaution used to turn the 



each gained daily as follows for twenty days: water away. In the ease of chicks they quickly succumb 



Dorkings 138 grains— laid 130 eggs per year to dampness. The moisture is constantly being evaporated, - 



Games 92 grains— laid IffO eggs per year thus carrying off the animal heat. The same is true of 



Buff Cochins 77 grains— laid 115 eggs per year adult fowls. They do not get wet as far as the water pass- 



Langshans 123 grains— laid 115 eggs per year ing through the feathers on their backs is concerned, but 



Dominicks 92 grains— laid 110 eggs per year the under parts of their bodies have no protection against 



Brown Leghorns 107 grains— laid 190 eggs per year the water on the ground, which soaks in and chills them 



Hamburgs 92 grains— laid 239 eggs per year the result being roup and other diseases which arise from 



Polish 46 grains— laid 98 eggs per year colds. A few pinches of red pepper in the food is excellent 



Guineas — grains — ^Ifiid 75 eggs per year for them ' a^ such times. 



