Democratic Sentinel, Volume 15, Number 47, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 December 1891 — THE POULTRY-YARD. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

THE POULTRY-YARD.

Hera’s for the Drinks. Where it is not possible to have running water in the yards and henhouses, says a poultry raiser in Farm and Home, a never-failing fountain the birds cannot foul is next best. It is easy to make one, using an old keg. Even a flour-barrel or half-barrel will serve for some months. Bore two holes in one head. In one place a pipe for filling. The other is for the escape of air as the water goes in. Cork both holes tightly after filling. A piece of half-inch pipe set in tightly whan the tank is dry will let out water fast enough l’or a large flock. This pipe must be just a little lower than the edge of the drinking-trough. When water has filled the trough deep enough to cover the end of the

pipe, no more will flow out until it has been drunk. By having the trough project into two yards one tank will supply both. If the waterbarrel Is shaded in summer the drink will be relished better. The trough should be raised from the ground high enough to prevent the scratching of dirt into it.

ifreetl lor tl»e Host. Do not try to use more breeding stock than you need. It is often a great temptation to breed from inferior fowls when there is a good prospect or good demand for eggs. You may make sale of the eggs from those superior fowls you are keeping, at the same price as those from the' prime breeding stock, but you are de- 1 ceiving your customers first, and' losing their custom last. The success of nearly all old breeders is in a great measure due to their observance of a rule never to breed from any but the best.

Poultry Notes. Never allow the fowls to go thirsty. Above all things keep the hen house clean and well ventilated. Don’t forget that green food should be fed to fowls when confined. Save the best birds for next year’s breeding and send the others to market. If your hens lay soft-shelled eggs, they are probably too fat. Put them at work scratching. Don’t forget to keep your chicks away from the hog pen. Hogs have a weakness for young chicks. Remember that cockerels as well as pullets are “spring chickens.” The next spring they will be “old roosters,” worth about half as much i;i market as hens. Young poultry should not be fed with the older ones. It will always pay to keep a coop and provide a board or shallow trough in order to economize feed. The effect of damp ground and stagnant water on fowls—especially on young turkeys—is well known. Fatal diseases follow as inevitably in those cases as with human- exposure to miasmatic exhalations A dry gravelly spot is absolutely necessary to healthful conditions.