right away. Be prepared for emergencies by having various 

 remedies on hand. Preparedness and prevention are two 

 pretty good words to go by in the poultry business. 



THE INCLOSED SYSTEM VERSUS THE OPEN YARD 



It is generally conceded that hens kept by the enclosed 

 system will lay more eggs and consume less food than those 

 kept in open yards. But it must be understood that if one is 

 raising hens for breeding stock, that to obtain vim, vigor, 

 and vitality and produce good layers, the open yard system 

 must be used. If the enclosed system is used for breeding 

 stock, it is impossible to obtain good, strong, healthy, vigor- 

 ous birds where the enclosed system is used. Another thing 

 that should not be done to breeding hens is to ever put the 

 lights on them, because there is no doubt about it but that 

 the lights do lower a hen's vitality inasmuch as she is com- 

 pelled to lay more eggs than she would otherwise, in the 

 same length of time. The more exercise and free range that 

 a breeding hen has, the stronger, healthier and better chick- 

 ens she will produce. Also the same is true of the cock birds. 

 Furnish your breeding pens with good dirt wallows, keep 

 them free from mites, lice, and intestinal worms, and feed 

 them the very best balanced ration obtainable and keep them 

 working all the time, and in doing this one will obtain more 

 hatchable eggs than in any other method that you might 

 pursue. Never breed from anything but mature hens and 

 vigorous cock birds if you expect to succeed in the breeding 

 game. 



In addition to the enclosed system, a sun parlor, dusting 

 place, and catching pen may be added by constructing in the 

 rear of the house a small enclosure about four feet wide and 

 thirty inches high, made from % by 3 inch material, covered 

 with wire netting, one half of frame being put on hinges. 

 The chickens may be admitted to this inclosure by a small 

 door operated from the front of the house by the use of a 

 cord and pulley arrangement. This will also be found con- 

 venient for use while cleaning the dropping boards, floors, 

 and doing other work that one finds necessary to be done in- 

 side the house. This may be done without interfering or 

 frightening the chickens. 



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