44 ILLINOIS STATE DAIRYMEN'S ASSOCIATION. 



POULTRY ON THE FARM. 



F. M. MUNGER OF DE KALB, ILL. 



There are a few simple rules, which, if carefully followed, will invaria- 

 bly add to the farmer's income with very little outlay or expense. 



For rearing and selling poultry 1 do not intent to lay down any strict 

 rules and regulations to be followed, but would urge you to make poultry a 

 study, and form rules and regulations of your own that will be simple, 

 plain and practicable. 



Have a good permanent home for your poultry, apart from all other 

 buildings. Keep the poultry home so clean and sweet that you can visit 

 it any time, and stay, if necessary, half an hour without wishing you could 

 get out to get a breath of pure air. 



To be profitable, hens must have good shelter at all times, both summer 

 and winter, a building with a tight roof to keep out water, and tight sides 

 to keep out wind and cold. A wet or cold hen will not lay many eggs. 



Washing hens to prepare them for exhibition, even in prize bird,*, 

 causes them to omit laying for two, three or more days. 



Cold, open sheds, in winter, will stop the average business hen and 

 besides lessen the egg supply, will favor colds and the development of roup. 

 The floor should be raised six inches or a foot with sand or coal ashes if 

 necessary to keep it always dry. On this ground floor straw, hay or leaves 

 should be scattered to the depth of four to six inches. 



All fowls need exercise, but this is especially true of the laying hen. 

 For giving hens exercise in all kinds of weather, a scratching shed 

 should be provided. A building ten by twelve will accommodate twenty- 

 five hens. A flock of this size is not profitable. The scratching shed should 

 have a good shed roof and three closed sides. If more than one house is 

 needed these scratching sheds can be built between each house. These 

 should be bedded with straw or hay and the hen kept at work. 



