File:American homes and gardens (1911) (17970235550).jpg

Title: American homes and gardens
Identifier: americanhomesgar81911newy (find matches)
Year: 1905 (1900s)
Authors:
Subjects: Architecture, Domestic; Landscape gardening
Publisher: New York : Munn and Co
Contributing Library: Smithsonian Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: Biodiversity Heritage Library

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December, 1911 AMERICAN HOMES AND GARDENS
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O U L T R Y m m THE WAY TO GET EGGS IN WINTER By E. I. FARRINGTON IT used to be believed that the way to get eggs in winter was to simulate summer conditions by keeping the hens in heated houses, feeding them on hot mashes and pampering them in various other ways. After awhile, it was observed that such hens were out of condition much of the time, and laid few more eggs than those the average farmer kept in a corner of a windy barn and fed corn on the cob. Now the pendulum has swung far in the other direction. Many progressive poultrymen keep their hens in open-front houses the year around and feed them on dry grains only, with results which they claim to be entirely satisfactory. This plan certainly produces much hardier birds. Fewer eggs may be laid, perhaps, than when a little more attention is given the flock, but the difference is so small that it is more than compensated for, no doubt, by the great saving in labor. There is a happy medium for the ama- teur. Very warm houses are unquestion- ably a mistake. Houses with muslin cur- tains at most of the windows are to be preferred to a large expanse of glass. An abundance of fresh air is imperative to preserve the vigor of the flock. Too much is better than too little. The flock should consist of pullets ready to lay in October at the latest, or of hens in their second year. It is seldom profitable to keep hens over two years. If the pullets do not begin laying before severe cold weather sets in, they may hold off until after the first of the year. There- fore, if the amateur is able to make a selec- tion, he should choose only well-matured birds for his fall flock. The hens should be in the house which they are to occupy for the winter by the time the first eggs begin to appear; if they are moved later, they may stop laying for some time. There should be comfortable perches, enough nests so that there will be no crowding, and the floor of the house should be covered with a litter several inches deep composed of leaves, straw or coarse hay. This litter should be added to from time to time dur- ing the winter as it becomes packed down. WHAT TO FEED. With the housing conditions satisfactory, and a good strain of pure-bred fowls in- stalled, the question of winter eggs will depend mostly upon the feeding. What to feed is a question about which there has been more varying opinions than almost any other pertaining to poultry-keeping. The experiment stations have carefully figured out the right grains for properly balanced rations, but when these rations are set be- fore the hens, they have a way of unbalanc- ing them which is characteristically per- verse, as well as highly exasperating. One hen will carefully pick out all the corn, another all the oats, while a third will search for the kernels of wheat. And then what has become of the balanced ration, so far as each individual hen is concerned? Many theorists continually inveigh against the feeding of a large proportion of corn. And yet practical poultrymen all over the country are making it half the ration throughout the winter. There are two methods of feeding for the amateur to choose between. If his time is limited, he will do well to use hop- Lane's Trolley Parlor Door Hangers and Track Fitted with superior quality ball bearings of the Annular type. The only Trolley Track adjustable laterally after the equipment has been installed. If the house settles slightly or when door dries out in winter or swells in summer, by this patented feature any binding or scraping of beautiful doors may be entirely prevented. t Send for Complete Catalog.

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