Evening Republican, Volume 20, Number 205, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 August 1916 — Pay Attention to Smaller Details [ARTICLE]

Pay Attention to Smaller Details

For poultry keeping the boxes ol grit, oyster shells, etc. filled is an important part of the work. It is not wise to fill the boxes and then pay nc attention to them again until they have been empty for a time. These things are necessary to the health and productiveness of the hens and it is well to see that they have a supply always in the hoppers when they want them. Have separate hoppers or compartments for grit, oyster shells, charcoal and beef scraps. The question of proper litter for th* hens to work in is important. Of course the hens are fed their morning feed of grain in the -litter in order that they get proper exercise. But now many times do we see too little attention paid to the necessity of providing proper lifter. Good clean, dry straw, free from all mustiness is good for litter. In fact, I do not find anything better. Shavings of wood I would not use for fear that the hens might swallow some of them. Hay does not do well and leaves are hard to gather and store. I think straw Is cheapest and easiest to procure. One main point to bear in mind is to change the litter often. It soon becomes damp and especially so along towards the spring season when there ia much rain and the hens aro running out and in the building from the wet and mud. Dampness in the litter is dangerous. It may seem expensive to change the litter so often but I find it best to change it whenever it begins to get damp and packed down. Got a dust box for your hens in the poultry house? If not, then hustle and fix one for them. If dry earth is not handy, then sift a lot of coal ashes and use them. They are good and I often use them. I juse sifted coal ashes to sprinkle under the roo3t on the dropping boards. Sometimes I store a few boxes of sifted garden soil In thee fall and use that on the dropping boards. Don’t forget to clean out the nests and put fresh, clean straw in them often. The cleaner you keep everything about the houses and premises Ihe easier it will be to keep vermin in check. Are you feeding any rats and mice in your feed storehouse? If so, better look out or your profits will be cut down. It is surprising how much grainand feed these rodents will eat and waste. Better catch them and then fix the storehouse so that they cannot get in. It does not pay to feed expensive grain to such animals. Do you pay particular attention to grading and having the eggs clean that you send to market? If not, then why not try grading them according to size, color, etc., and then have them clean and in good shape? A little extra effort along these lines and look- • ing up a special market may mean a , much larger profit from your work. Proper attention to some of the smaller details of the work often means the difference between success and failure.