The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, April 20, 1922, Image 3
??ru???
Managing the Hen and Her Brood.'
I
(By Prof. Frederic H. Storaeburn,'
poultry editor of The World)
While .Trillions upon millions of
chicks are hatched and reared annually
through the use of artificial meth-'
ods, the good old broody hen has not
I yet lost her job. She is still a neces
sity to that vast number of poultrymen
who are not so situated as to
enable them to profitably make a
tremendously important factor in the (
poultry industry, is doing a great i
work in keeping up the supply of lay-!
ing pullets and market poultry.
Mankind has been caring for mother
hens and their broods for untold |
centuries. One would think that as j
a result of the knowledge and ex-1
perience thus gained almost everyone j
would instinctively give their hens |
proper care during these busy weeks j
when fami lies are being reared. And
vof Hoonnrorc: in noultrv keeping as I
JVV ?ve. < . . _
well as many of those who have had j
considerable experience go right along i
making costly mistakes, sacrificing i
vast numbers of helpless chicks to J
ignorance and negligence. I
It is not a difficult matter to so,
manage hens as to bring through to
maturity a very large proportion of j
the chicks entrusted to their care. |
There is of course a certain percent-1
age of mortality; some chicks will be,
lost under the very best of conditions.!
But this loss can be kept mighty low I
if the poultrym an will only use a f
bit of patience and common sense,1
will adopt measures calculated to j
avoid the usual dangers incident to
chickenhood and provide those things
and favorable conditions which make
for health, comfort and safety.
The mother hens should be selectee^
with care. The clumsy, cross, quarlelsome,
nervous individuals are not
suited to the task of properly caring
for the growing youngsters. Quiet,
motherly hens, in good flesh, are
much easier to manage ar.d pleasant
er to work with and they also give
their babies better care. I know of
many poultrymen who keep these dependable
mothers year after year
merely for use as nurses, regardless
of how many eggs they may produce. |
Sitting hens will almost invariably
mother the chicks they hatch, so one
may anticipate but little trouble in
this respect. However, I have known j
cases where they have packed and
killed the youngsters as fast as the
latter appeared. Doubtless this deplorable
conduct may be ascribed to
a highly nervous condition. Obvi-;
-? ously, one should not waste time with
these unreliable individuals, but reIsm!
?
^
| WhatDami
| tion. We
EU if
' I Silve
turn them to the laying flock at once.
On the other hand, quiet hens having
the brooding fever well developed
will usually accept and mother newlyhatched
chicks which are not their
own. Buyers of small lots of readymade
baby chicks often give these
to such hens instead of placing them
under hovers. It is not usually a safe
plan to merely put hens and chicks
in a coop together without a preliminary
test to ascertain whether
the combination will work. If the
broody hen is permitted to remain
on her nest and two or three chicks
slipped under her, she may be fooled
into thinking she is responsible for
a family and accept the whole brood
without further question.
From a dozen to eighteen chicks
may be given to each hen according
I to her size and the season of the
year. Fifteen makes a very good
number under average conditions.
The range or yard used by the
(growing chicks should be as large as
possible and not too thickly populated.
One great advantage enjoyed by
henreared chicks is the freedom they
have, the absence of crowding which
always accompanies the keeping of
]..vrra niimliorc nf nbirlrs in one brood.
The backyard poultryman is often
compelled, because of lack of space, to
keep his chicks rather closely confined.
It then becomes necessary to
adopt some plan to prevent the soil
[from becoming filthy and contaminated.
Frequent stirring or cultivation
I of the soil, with a spade or wheel|hoe,
will bury the accumulated droppings
and bring fresh earth to the
i surface. The growing of grass stuff
will serve the double purpose of purifying
the soil and providing needed
food. Even in very small yards lit
lie ptticnea ui giaoo, uv<\.i, v.w.,
be started under wire-covered frames
and the latter removed when the
plants are well established.
Shade is most essential. It is difficult
to grow really good chicks in
bare, sun-baked yards. Low trees
and brushes, patches of growing corn,
anything which will permit the chicks
to avoid the sun's rays during the
heat of the day will serve the purpose.
In my own work I frequently
throw piles of brush in open spots,
then plant pumpkin or squash seeds
about the pile. The heavy vines soon
cover the brush pile and a safe, shady
retreat is thus provided. In extreme
cases, little tents or shelters of cotton
cloth or burlap may be used.
Accepted methods of chick feeding
have previously been presented in
this column. These apply to henbrooded
chicks as well as to those
Tixtx tTtTiTtTiTiTfTiTiTn*tT
AK1
e Fashion has d<
lave a number <
) Spring
Millinery
) It is in Millinery
that fashion's creators
most display
their ingenionsy. Our
U>ll* ! 1_
mpiiinery display
)this season portrays
fashion's most choice
selections, and we
invite you to call
and inspect them. ,
TJ
UR STORE CL
irman'
\
reared by artificial methods. The
former have certain advantages in
the matter of diet, however. A small
flock cf roomy range, accompanied
by a watchful, hustling hen, will pick
up natural food in great abundance.
This food supply divide:! among a
gieat many youngsters would not go
far but is a great addition to the
ration of a few. Bugs, worms, green
stuffs of various kinds all go toward
making a splendid growing ration.
Each little family should have a
home its own. The broad coops
should be so constructed a3 to allow
ample floor space, protect the
brood against weather and natural
enemies, admit air and sunshine and
te easy to clean. The exact shape
and construction matter little provided
these very practical l-equirements
are met. A sturdy packing box covered
with roofing material or tar
paper, will serve admirably.
I wish to lay special emphasis
upon the necessity of making these
brood coops roomy. Perhaps the
most common mistake in connection
with the rearing of chicks by hen
power is thomse ot improper coops
and especially- in the matter of their
size. Chidfcs are worth too much to
sacrifice through overcrowding in the
inexpensive coops.
A box eighteen inches square will
provide enough space for sleeping
quarters, but it is too small to permit
the flock to be comfortable during
stormy days when the youngsters
must remain under cover. It not infrequently
happens that spells of bad
weather keep the youngsters under
cover for several days at a time.
Then one instantly recognizes the need
for more space as the brood suffers
much injury as a result of confinement
in small space.
These coops must be kept clean.
Keep thv floor covered with a thin
layer of fine litter or fresh earth.
Scrape out this material at reasonably
frequent intervals. Use a good
disinfectant or apply a coat of whitewash
to the whole interior from time
to time. Scald or disinfect dishes for
fnrtA qn/1 wofiir Vppn flvprvthmir in
sanitary condition. It is care of this
kind which makes the difference between
inferior chicks and mighty
good ones.
Have openings in the coops so protected
that rats, cats and .other enemies
cannot attack the little families.
Then see to it that everything is
properly closed up every night.
While it is highly desirable that the
mother hens be permitted to range
with their broods after the chicks are
some two weeks of age, I prefer to
qmzq cj^zqmcp
iTiTiTil ... <. ^iTmTtTiTtTi
SPF
^rrpprl Qhnnlrl I
l/vi wvi vjix vy vtxv? &
of her most ch
Ladies'
\ W #^h9p i
\ wkf i i
.ft
those which will meet your
OSES AT 6:0<
s De
?*
i
hove them remain at home during
these critical first few days. Let the
' chicks gain sufficient size and strength
to enable them to keep up with the s
hens before they are permitted to 1
range at will.
During this "at home" period the I
hens may be kept confined to their P
c>ops, but it is bettc- to provide a,a
small run cf lath or wire for each j h
coop. This will permit the hens to
get outside and keep a watchful eye t
cn the family. Under such conditions C
the chicks will not wander far from v
home, will be warned and recalled if C
canger threatens. Then, at the prop- I
er time, the yards may be removed ?
and the hens given full liberty. (
In course of time the hens will be- (
! gin laying. Some will continue to (
brood their family for a long time (
after they begin laying, but usually '
the first egg in a brood coop indi- 1
cates that the hen thinks it high time t
to get back with the laying flock, c
This is further shown by the attitude 1
toward the chick?. When a hen be- *
gins to drive them away from her, ,
will have nothing to do with them, j
the time for separation, or "wean- \
ing," has arrived. This marks the
end of babyhood and the beginning \
of the last stage of development?the
growing period which ends at laying ?
' maturity. ,
NO RESMOPEACEj
. j
There's no peace and little rest for J
the one who suffers from a bad back, 1
and distressing urinary disorders, i
j Kingstree people recommend Doan's J
Kidney Pills. Be guided by their j
experience. ]
J. N. Hammet 301 West Main j
street, Kingstree, says: "Whenever I J
1 have used Doan's Kidney Pills 1 have i
always found them to be just as rep- J
' resented. Some time ago I was j
| troubled with my kidncy3 and I had 3
| to get up several times during the j
, night. The kidney secretions were j
; scanty and there was a dull ache | j
i across the small of my back that an- J
noyed me. This trouble seemed to 1
j tire my system and before I felt any j
, more effects from the weakness I !
j bought a box of Doan's Kidney Pills J
1 at Gamble's Drug Store and was <
' greatly benefited. I am satisfied that !
j Doan's are a most reliable kidney J
remedy." j
Price 60c, at all dealers. Don't !
simply ask for a kidney remedy?get '
Doan's Kidney Pills?the same that <
Mr. Hammet had. Foster-Milburn !
(Co., Mfrs., Buffalo, N. Y.?Adv. j
UNG
worn this Spr
oice creations,a
Spring
DRESSES
Onr showing of
Ladies' Spring DressJfll
es embodies those
y made from most
popular materials
along the latest
fanes laid down by
flip Jpdcmprc far
UIV UWlgUVI V IVI
this spring's wear.
And onr prices are
very moderate, too.
Before you buy your
Spring outfit, call in
and look these smart
garments over and
and we are sure that
you will find here
desires in every way.
3 P. M. EXCEP1
partm<
i
Pec Dec Fanners Organize. Gr
CI
The Pee Dee Truck Growers' As- J
ociation organized at Kingstree t
'uesday and secured the sales serv- j
:e of the American Fruit Growers,'
nc. The Pee Dee rssociation at W
resent consists of fifteen local units en
nd expects to affiliate several more w<
acals within the next few days. Pr
The local units of this orgj.niza-. mi
ion are located as follows: Lake or
Jity Truck Growers' Association, Sil-1
er Truck Growers' Association, Lee sc
Jounty Truck Growers' Association, po
^ynchburg; Summerton Truck Grow- be
rs' Association, Pincwood Truck: at
Jrowers' Association, Cades Truck j pr
Growers' Association, Sumter Truck j it
Jrowers' Association, Kingstree Truck in
Jrowers' Association, Hemingway m
rruck Growers' Association, Trio B<
["ruck Growers' Cooperative Associa- th
ion, Salters Truck Growers' Asso- ot
:iation, Morrisville Truck Growers' cv
Association, Henry Truck Growers' la
Association, Dorchester County Truck , ly
Window and I
SHOULD BE PU
The sooner 'tis done the less
the flies.
It doesn't cost so very muc
money can bay, and to live in
concerned.
LET US FIGURE ON YOl
| ^^^^HOUS^FUj
WE
ing is here for y<
nd invite you tc
Ladies'
Spring
**" *
It is often said
that Shoes and Hats
are the most important
part of a
man's dress, when
appearance is considered.
No less
so is this the fact
in Ladies' Wear.
We have Ladies'
Slippers in all the
latest styles. See
them! fepn
r SATURDAYS
ent S
owers' Association, St. George.?
larleston News and Courier. * ,
? o
President Sends Encouragement.
Spartanburg, April 17.?President
arrsn G. Harding sends a word of
couragement to the Sunday Shool
jrkers of South Carolina. The *
esident has addressed the following
?ssage "To the Sunday School Works
of South Carolina":
"The properly conducted Sunday
hool seems to r.ie to be a very imirtant
feature of all religious work,
cause it serves the young people ?
a time when they are most imessionable
and particularly because
affords them opportunity for an
timate acquaintance with the monuent
of splendid literature, the Bible.
>th as literature and as inspiration,
e Bible has a value with which no
her work can be compared and
ery activity that expends and popurizes
the knowledge of it is extremeworth
while." m
Mil HHMIIII If IIIHMM
M. J. <
|
)oor Screens
T ON NOW. | ;
i trouble you will have with !
I | \
h to have the beat screens
comfort as far as flies are
i I
I I
UR SPECIFICATIONS. I I
::
???PJ1 WJJJi II.IJJLM 1 1
ME COJ
RKISHmGSJ^B ;;
EZZ3HMT
IIHIIIHIMIII 1114*1 H !?.*
?'
< " .1... . f; *>.! V '
AR!|
our inspec- j j
) see them, j;
Ill 1
iBi I
DQ
tore I