Evening Republican, Volume 17, Number 285, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 November 1913 — SHOULD PROVIDE SUITABLE COOPS [ARTICLE]

SHOULD PROVIDE SUITABLE COOPS

Chickens Generally Seek the Same Roosting Place and Carry Insects With Them. Poultry, roosting in trees, is not exempt from insect enemies. This has been proved by the experience of many who make a business of raising; poultry. An examination of the limbs of trees where the young flocks roost at night, before the birds have been yarded and housed for the winter, will show countless numbers of mites resting .under the loose hack. Chickens generally seek the same roosting place night after night, and oarry Insects with .them. The tree becomes infested and the vermin increase in numbers with wonderful rapidity, finally, sapping the vitality of the birds. Then farmers wonder why food does not fatten. When birds are old enough to “climb trees” they should be placed in coops that can be easily disinfected and kept in a healthy condition, if the best finaih cial results are expected.