The Progressive Farmer

POULTRY DEPARTMENT.

(We are pleased to announce to the readers of Progressive Farmer that we are fortunate as to secure the efficient services of Mr. Weathers as Editor of this Department He is one of the best informed men on this subject in the South He desires that all communications and questions designed for his Department be addressed Poultry Column Progressive Farmer Raleigh N. C. He will most cheerfully answer all questions relating to poultry through this column Write him.—EDITOR PROGRESSIVE FARMER.)

Summer vs. Winter.

The idea that fowls cannot be made to yield good profits during the winter weather is decidedly an erroneous one, for if they are properly managed they can be made really more profitable then than at any other time of the year. Some breeders who raise poultry and eggs entirely for market purposes, seem to think that they must make all their profit during the summer months, and they have an idea that the fowls are a dead loss during the cold weather, and seem to be thankful if they lay enough to pay for their keeping. This is all wrong, and the breeder should not allow himself to be satisfied with any such results, but should be constantly striving to do better each season. In winter, both fowls and eggs are high-priced, and for this reason it is especially desirable to have a good supply during the cold weather; it can easily be done, too, if the fowls are managed rightly. They must be fed on more fattening, nourishing food than they had during the hot weather, for a certain part of the heat thus created goes to keep the body of the fowls warm, and this, of course was not necessary during the warm weather.

There is one way of really saving food and promoting the thrift of the flock that is not fully appreciated, and that is good shelter, for the better they are protected from cold, the less food it will require to keep their bodies warm, and in this way a good shelter is economical as well as comfortable It is carelessness in the little details of winter management that is the cause of so much disappointment on the part of the breeder. The more care and attention to the daily requirements in winter, the better will be their health and general appearance. Though aiming to attain the highest results by different methods, the breeder often fails to follow a judicious course in feeding and managing his flock, and in such cases disease will soon show itself, and of course fowls can never be made profitable or satisfactory when in this condition. The feeding has an important influence on the profits realized in winter. but this is not all by any means, as the house in which they are confined at this time, and in which they spend nearly all of their time has a very effective influence on their health, and as stated before without health there is no profit, and anything that can be done to promote strength and health will quickly increase the profits. Be sure and have plenty of light in the south side of the house, so as to let in the sun's rays, as they are very scarce in the winter and must be made the most of. Ventilation and cleanliness go hand in hand and are very important in securing good health. The food should be given regularly and in moderate quantities. Be sure to see that they are well fed the last thing at night, just before roosting time, so that they will have enough to last them through the long cold nights.

With such management, the fowls will yield fully as large profits as they did in summer, for the reason that poultry and eggs are always highest at this season of the year.