Democratic Sentinel, Volume 15, Number 40, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 October 1891 — THE POULTRY-YARD. [ARTICLE]

THE POULTRY-YARD.

Assorting the Hens. It is one of the most important matters that hens be separated according to the requirements, says Farm and FUjeside. If you have a flock of hens, and some of them are laying while others are unproductive, separate the layers from the others, or take out the extra fat hen. This is especially necessary on those farms where the hens are confined to a limited area. Then layiug hens and the fattening hens do not require the same food. For Instance, a hen that is intended for market may be allowed all the grain she can consume, but the laying hen will require a more nitrogenous diet, such as meat, and if they are together the laying hens may not receive the food intended for them, as the others will also take a portion. There is also a difference in hens in another respect—age. The old hens will always domineer over the younger. It is best to have a flock of the same breed and age. The layers should never be with the nonlayers. Always observe the condition of eachhen, if possible, and feed according to circumstances, as there is no rule that can be followed in feeding. Why Eggs Do Not Hatch. The complaints abojut eggs not hatching well, and the weak and puny products from sittings of eggs, might be lessened if breeders would take a more .sensible view of the conditions of their breeding fowls before laying. Usually in such cases there is something radically wrong in breeding, feeding, care of environment. A constitutionally sound bird, properly bred, fed, and cared for, will, as a rule, possess potent qualities. Poultry Notes. In wet weather keep the fowls in out of the wet. Examine the chicks a few days after birth ior lice. There are sixty-eight standard breeds of chickens, ten of ducks, nine of turkeys, and seven of geese. Where tobacco leaves can be obtained without much cost they should be used around the poultry-houses, and especially i in their nests, to keep off lice. If the yards are low, so that water stands in them after a rain, dig an open ditch that will carry off tho water. If you do not do this the fowls will soon make of the wet portion an unhealthy slough. Do not imagine that the fowls need dainties to develop them. Good, healthy food, fed regularly and in moderation, will accomplish the work; and what cannot be accomplished in this way cannot be accomplished at all.