PRAIRIE FARMER'S POULTRY BOOK 



February. The egg yield is now increasing rapidly. A few 

 of the breeding stock hens may become broody, but if early 

 hatched pullets are desired, the incubator is the main reliance. 

 Set the incubator early in February. 



Clean up and disinfect the poultry house, supplying new 

 litter and nest material. 



Go over the breeding pens and breeding flock carefully to 

 detect and remove any birds lacking in vigor. 



Get the brooder house and brooder ready for the forth- 

 coming hatch. If artificial lights are used and there is more 

 than a 50 per cent yield, the lights should be reduced. 



Gather eggs twice daily in severe weather. 



Fatten and market all capons held over. 



March. Clean up and disinfect the poultry building, sup- 

 plying fresh litter. 



Spray roosts and nests with some good lice killer. Dust 

 the fresh nesting material with insect powder. 



Give the laying flock and the breeding flock a thorough 

 culling. Condition and ship to market all culls. This is the 

 month of high prices for market stock. 



Carefully examine the breeders and replace any male birds 

 that are lacking in vigor or that fail to produce fertile eggs. 



Prepare chick rations for the coming broods. 



Bring the poultry account down to date and prepare the 

 quarterly summary. 



April. This is the busy month. Ificubators, sitting hens, 

 and tender chicks require constant attention. 



Clean up and disinfect all coops and buildings. 



Put on a vigorous campaign against lice and mites. 

 Thorough work now will save future trouble. 



Plant mangel-wurzels, beets, carrots, cabbage, turnips and 

 other vegetables to supply the winter ration of green feed. 



May. Clean and disinfect buildings and coops. 



Clean, disinfect and put away the incubators, as the season 

 for profitable incubation has passed. 



All eggs set this month should be placed under hens. Hens 

 should be protected from lice and mites and provided with 

 new nesting material as required. 



Provide shade for the chicks. Give the flock free range. 



Give special attention to the chicks. Keep their quarters 

 clean and free from drafts. Protect from enemies by closing 

 them up at night and keeping the hen confined in the day time. 



[213] 



