July, 1912 
MID-SUMMER POULTRY WORK 
By E. I. FARRINGTON 
ANY hens are kept through the Sum- 
mer at a loss, not laying an egg for 
weeks. It is advisable and profitable to cull 
the flock in June or early in July, instead 
of waiting until Fall. Such birds as seem 
to be out of condition, with pale combs and 
a disposition to take life easy, might as well 
be gotten rid of now as later; the cost of the 
grain they would eat will be saved. This 
does not mean sick birds, of course, but 
simply those which have laid prolifically for 
a long season and which must have a pro- 
tracted rest. It hardly pays to try to fat- 
ten them, either, at this time of year. 
Sometimes a radical change in feeding 
will start a flock laying. Jf commercial 
feeds are being used, growing mash may be 
substituted for laying mash. If the birds 
have been confined, the same result may 
follow if they are given a wider range 
with an abundance of grass. However, 
there will always be a certain number of 
birds which will refuse to lay no matter 
how much they are coaxed. If the flock 
is a small one, most of them can be picked 
by close observation, and should be disposed 
of. It is well, also, to get rid of the male 
birds, except such as are to be kept for 
breeding purposes, and they should not run 
with the hens. Eggs keep better when they 
are not fertilized. Sometimes a male bird 
which is to be kept for breeding purposes 
the next season may be placed with a farmer 
and given free range for the Summer, an 
excellent plan for all concerned, including 
the rooster. 
Some poultry-houses which are excellent 
for Winter use, because they keep the fowls 
warm, are extremely hot in Summer, even 
when they have open fronts. The remedy 
is to make an opening in the rear wall just 
under the eaves, so that there will be a 
circulation of air at all times. A hinged 
board may be dropped over the opening in 
the event of a driving rain coming up, but 
there will be few nights when the opening 
will not be a distinct advantage in keeping 
the hens comfortable. Shade is also neces- 
sary in the hot months. Some poultry- 
keepers plant sun flowers to provide shade, 
while others grow vines over the fences. 
In lieu of anything better, strips of burlap 
or bagging may be stretched over poles. 
An abundance of green food is essential 
at all seasons, but especially so in Summer. 
One of the simplest ways to provide it is 
to have a grass-catcher fitted to the lawn 
mower and to throw the clippings into the 
poultry yard. If there is a surplus of clip- 
pings, they may be saved for Winter use 
by spreading them on a grain bag in full 
sunlight for several days until they crackle 
when handled, after which they may be 
stored in barrels or boxes. Greens from 
the garden will be devoured with eagerness. 
A few rows of Swiss chard will furnish a 
liberal supply of greens, for the leaves grow 
again when picked. A small patch of dwarf 
Essex rape may be planted for the express 
purpose of growing green food for the occu- 
pants of the poultry-house. It matures in 
a few weeks and new plantings at short 
intervals will provide a succession. Very 
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156 Leonard St., New York 
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| Bremerrererererermrn 
YS SS 
To be correct it: 
motive and the 
The Cremorne Bolt 
for Casement or French 
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KOLL’S PATENT LOCK JOINT COLUMNS 
Suitable for 
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INTERIOR USE 
ELSTON and WEBSTER AVES. 
CHICAGO, {LLINOIS 
Eastern Office: 
1123 Broadway, New York City 
