Copyright N°. COPYRIGHT DEFOSrr WW^ ''^'•■'fe.V % THE HOME THAT WAS BUILT BY HENS Bi; "UNCLE^CAL" STODDARD Illustrated By L. Stahmer, Jr. Published Bt AMERICAN POULTRY JOURNAL PUBLISHING COMPANY 542 S. Deaebobn Steeet, Chicago, III. 1913 i ' ^ v^ COPYRIGHT 1913 AMERICAN POULTRY JOURNAL PUB. CO. 542 S. DEARBORN STREET CHICAGO 0)C1,A358649 4^, Digitized by tine Internet Arciiive in 2011 witii funding from Tine Library of Congress littp://www.arcliive.org/details/liometliatwasbuiltOOIiarr ^^^^^^,*^BP*W«^ 'We will have to dispeuse with Campbell's services, and the order is to go into efEect Saturday night." THE HOME THAT WAS BUILT BY HENS. By "Uncle Cal" Stoddard. CHAPTER I. "OUCHING an electric push button, connected with the mahogany desk before which he was sitting', Lyman Roberts, General Manager of the Great Interurban Transportation Co., called into his presence, Jim Lytle, his Super- intendent. Pushing back from his desk, and leisurely puffing his cigar, he said, ' ' Lytle, I 've a rather disagreeable duty to perform, and it's one which I've concluded to delegate to you. It refers to Ned Campbell, foreman of the oper- ating department. As a first step, by way of retrenchment and a reduction of operating ex- penses, the Board of Directors have concluded that we Avill have to dispense with Campbell's services, and the order is to go into effect Saturday night." "I'm very sorry to hear this Mr. Roberts, said Lytle, not only because Campbell is the best foreman that we have ever hacl, but because he has been wath us ever since the merger with the South Side Co., in '85, and is a most efficient and careful man. He is well liked by the men under him, and his every thought seems to be at all times for the interests of the Company. ' ' "Yes, I know, Lytle, and it is for the reasons that you sug- gest, that the task is a hard one, and why I have placed, its per- formance upon your shoulders. If I could have my way about it, Campbell's name would never be dropped from our pay rolls. However, an order has issued from the President, to the effect that expense must be cut in that Department and as Ned is the highest priced man, the Board have concluded that he is the one to get the "blue envelope." That it will be a rather poor Christmas present to hand a man who has been so faithful to our interests for so many years, goes without saying. He is booked to go however, and I wish you to notify him. Very well, Mr. Roberts. It is a very undesirable task which 5 6 The Home That Was Built by Hens you have imposed, and I would gladly give a month's salary from my own pocket if Campbell might be retained. It is hard to be let out at this time of the year, and in this ease it is doubly so, by reason of the fact that Ned's wife has not as yet fully recovered from her recent illness. His bank account has been badly depleted by the payment of Doctor's bills, and the suspension of his earning power at this time, and under these conditions, is a matter much to be regretted. "Quite true, Lytle, quite true," and it may not be out of place, if I say to you, that his dismissal is not at all to my liking, nor in line with my ideas of justice. In fact, I feel, personally — mind you, and not as an official of the Company — that Campbell's dismissal might justly be termed an injus- tice to him and an act of ingratitude upon the part of the Company. But it's orders, Lytle, and you know what that means. After all, the relation between the Employer and the employed is one of business, and your experience has shown you the truthfulness of the saying, that "there is no sentiment in business." "You and I may think as we like, but orders must be obeyed. I trust you will do the job as pleasantly as you can, and be careful to spare in every way the big, manly feelings of one of the best men, whose name ever graced the Company's pay roll." As he finished speaking ]\Ir. Roberts arose and looked thoughfully out into the darkening day and the brilliantly lighted thoroughfare of the great metropolis. Putting on his warm coat and gloves, preparatory to leaving for the night, he said, "Lytle, what an awful thing it is to be dependent! I have often thought of it, but this case of Ned Campbell impresses me more than usual." "In this great industrial corporation we are all more or less dependent. Even I, as general manager, might have my tenure of office cut short as we discharge Ned Campbell. Every man who works for a corporation is simply a cog in the ma- chine. He can be removed and another anci less expensive one put in his place and the machine goes on just the same. So often have I seen this happen with men whose lives have been spent in service, leaving them to spend their declining years in actual want. It is indeed sad, and as a result of what I have observed during my years of activity in the business world, I would say to every man, be he young or middle age, 'Don't be a cog in some corporate machine, but by all that makes life The Home That Was BuiU by Hens 7 dear, be independent.' As old 'Doc' Potter used to say, 'If it's only a peannt stand with an umbrella over you, you know it's yours.' And, Lytle, it is so." "Men become linked to some business and simply drift along. The days run into weeks, the weeks into months and years; they reach middle age, their earning capacity begins to wane ; the evening of life comes on, finding them where poor Ned Campbell is today; and the world moves on unmindfid of the wreckage left behind." "As I said before, no one knows when or where the axe may fall. That old saying, 'There is always a Avheel within a wheel,' is quite true. You, as superintendent, are accountable to me as General Manager. I, as General Manager, am respons- ible to my Board of Directors, as are also the President and other officers. They in tnrn must give an account of their responsibilities to the stock holders who elect them. Too often a majority interest in the stock of our great industries is con- trolled by the large banking interests, and they in turn by what are known as the great 'captains of industry.' In the last analysis, it's the peoples' money that goes into these vast enterprises, and it's the power to control the peoples' money that makes these 'captains of industry.' The price of our stocks and bonds, both actual and speculative, is fixed, in a large degree, by their income producing power. The "Cap- tains," would soon lose their prestige with the Banks and Trust Companies, unless they produced results. Hence it's "results" that they must secure. Ned Campbell's salary of $1,800.00 per year means a five per cent dividend on $36,000.00 of our stock, and it's divi- dends that they want. If these dividends be wet with the tears of grief, or the blood of human suffering, it matters not. They never know, nor do they care. Capital claims the inalien- able right to purchase human effort, at the lowest possible price, and to the best possible advantage. There is no "senti- ment" about it, and I am very frank to say that, personally, my ideas of right and wrong are hardly in accord with this latter day philosophy of the business world. What I have said is said simply to picture to you the pitiful situation of every man who casts his fortunes as a laborer in the building of our great corporations. There is no such thing as independence under such circumstances, and the many things that God gives to His people, to make for their 8 The Home That Was Buih by Hens happiness, are, to the millions who make up the masses, prac- tically unknown. "Well, good night, Lytle. It looks like the beginning of real Winter." "It surely does, Mr. Roberts, Good night." Lyman Roberts was a man born of plain New England par- entage, and under his fur lined coat beat a big, honest heart, that revolted at the dismissal of Ned Campbell as an injustice to honest effort, and as a wrongful disregard of his rights as a worker in the great Industrial combination of which he was President. As his luxuriously appointed Auto threaded its way through the dense throng of humanity, ever and forever moving here and there, Mr. Roberts was so deep in thought as to be oblivious to all that was passing about him. Alighting in front of his brilliantly illumined home, wherein might be seen all the evidences of happiness and ' ' Good Cheer, ' ' consequent upon the approaching Christmas time, he shook his head, and with the deepest feelings of sorrow, said, "Poor Campbell." CHAPTER II. lEFORE the General Manager of the Great Interiirban Transportation Company had reached his home on the evening of December 22, 1903, his Superintendent, Jim Lytle, had carried "the message to Garcia." In other words he had performed the unpleasant duty assigned him by his Superior, and had noti- fied Ned Campbell of his dismissal from the service of the Company. Jim Lytle was a college graduate, and the son of a Bank President. His appointment, made two years before, was brought about by reason of his father's influence with the Board of Directors. From the moment he took up the important duties of his office, he had realized his lack of fitness for the position. In Ned Campbell he had found a loyal friend, and the feelings between the men were such as tended to more firmiy cement the bonds of friendship as the days went on. In the intricate maze of practical business life, the College graduate was soon lost, and it was only the knowledge, bought by experi- ence and possessed by Ned Campbell, that in Jim's early days as Superintendent, had led him safely over many pitfalls. It was little wonder that there was a huskiness in Jim's voice as he broke the news to Campbell of his dismissal from his posi- tion, and that "his services were no longer required." So keenly did he feel for Ned, that he at once offered to secure the infiuence of his father in the hope of retaining him in his position. "As we used to say in college, Ned, things seem to be com- ing your way in bunches," said Jim. AVith the expense of keeping your son Allison in that Agricultural college ; the ill- ness of your wife, and the losing of your position, you have about all the load that any one man in your financial condition ought to be expected to carry. Now, Ned, if you will just say the word, I '11 go to the front for you, and perhaps the Governor can save the day. He's pretty strong with the Board, and in fact, I hardly think they would dare disregard a recjuest com- ing from him in a matter of this kind." 10 The Home That Was Built by Hens Ned Campbell's father had been a plain farmer np in the central part of the State, and Ned was one of several children. In his boyhood days he had known what it was to feel the pain- fnl throb of a "stone brnise" on his toe, and, he had often warmed his feet on a cold October morning: in the g:rass where the cows had slept the night l)efore. He had hnnted rabbits, and "dng out" woodchncks, before he was twelve years old. On Winter morning's he had filled the wood box for mother, pumped water for the stock, cleaned the horses, and looked after "grandma's" hens, before taking his lunch basket with its doughnuts and link of sausage, and starting on his mile tramp to the old red schoolhouse on the hill. All this had meant discipline to his youthful mind, and it was this discipline of his boy hod days, that had made him a master of detail and that had brought him constant promotion wherever he had been employed. It was that discipline, backed by a splendid in- tegrity and good sense, that had made him foreman of the operating department. It was the discipline of plain living, and clean thinking, that had made Ned Campbell a real man, with a keen vision, and a heart wherein the "milk of human kindness" was found to flow in abundance. As he sat there the embodiment of honesty, and a splendid manhood, his big blue eyes wide open with amazement at Jim's news, his mind became keenly alert to the exact situation. He had often felt that all Mr. Roberts had said to Lytle was true. With him the dependence and helplessness of the em- ployed had been a matter of earnest thought. He had seen others who were lower down in the ranks dropped from the pay roll, and the lesson had come to him on these occasions. He fully realized that Jim Lytle meant all that he said as to the invoking of his father's influence in his behalf, and that no doubt such influence would result in his maintaining his posi- tion. This thought, to his mind, however, was at once distaste- ful. To him "merit" was the only password that should give a man preferment in business, or in any field in which hs might engage. To hold a position by reason of a "pull" was to Ned an humiliation and simply out of the question. As Lytle finished speaking, Ned regained his composure, and without the slightest showing of a resentful feeling, said, "No, Jim, I can't permit you to do that. I'd feel that I was paying too great a price for the privilege of remaining with the com- pany, because it would be, under those circumstances, at the expense of my self-respect. Old Elder Ripley used to say that The Home That Was Built by Hens 11 "self-respect is one of the greatest assets a man can have," and I beheve it's so. Therefore, while I want yon to feel that I fully appreciate yonr kindly intentions, I ninst decline yonr offer of intervention in my behalf. The order has been given, and I mnst abide by it. ]\Iaybe after all it's only for the best. You, no doubt, think it a great adversity. Just at this time, it does come hard, and perhaps a fellow would be justified in wondering how it is possible for men to be so unmindful of the "golden rule" as set forth in the teaching of He whose birth we celebrate at this season of the year. *T remember reading somewhere an expression of a noted writer who said, 'A smooth sea never made a skillful mariner, neither does uninterrupted prosperity and success qualify men for usefulness and happiness.' If, as some claim, 'adversity is the diamond powder with which Heaven polishes its jewels,' I surely ought to have a lustre such as would make me the envy of the sun. "Now, Jim, even though the Goddess of Justice should weep her eyes out because of my dismissal, it is my duty to be a philosopher. It may be that Allison will have to give up his last six months at college and that Santa Clause will be a little short in his donation at the Campbell residence, but I am still healthy Ned Campbell. For several years I have felt the yoke, and yearned for the freedom that I used to know. Of course, it would have been pleasanter to have had it come over the "resignation route" instead of the "blue envelope flyer," yet the ultimate result is just the same. Allison is nearly eighteen. He has had two and one-half years at the State Agricultural School, and perhaps he will have some suggestions to make when he learns how the business depression has been playing tag with his dad. I am exceedingly sorry that our business relations have come to a close, but I shall hope to see you often. If I should conclude to go up into the country, as I have often thought of doing, it would be a fine place for you to spend your summer vacations. Since I came to the city, I have had ample opportunity to observe the artificiality of city life, and it surely has left its mark. "Well, I'll finish making the test of the new electric motor and get everything in shape for Saturday evening." "Ned, you're the best fellow I ever met," said Lytic. "In- stead of taking these things to heart, tearing your hair, and calling everybody names which wouldn't look well in print, yon simply say 'all right' and pass it along. I suppose that's what 12 The Home That Was Built by Hens you call "being a philosopher." Well, I have gone through Yale and seen something of the world, bnt I have learned a les- son in fortitude from you tonight that I won't forget in a long, long time." "Why, Jim, my dear fellow, don't you know the things we often count as misfortunes are, after all, the kindly ministerings of God's angels leading us into a land of better things? My services to this company have been worth $1,800 per year, otherwise they would not have paid me that amount. I am still capable of as good, and even better service. Bear in mind, Jim, that I am now free, and there is 110 limit to the possihili- ties of a free man who is in earnest. If there is anything fur- ther that you want looked into before Saturday night, just say the word." CHAPTER III. T was Saturday night. The las-t man in the company's employ had walked up to the pay- master's window and received an envelope, the contents of which represented his earnings for the previous week. As each had signed the {)ay roll and stepped out past the special offi- cer always stationed at the paymaster's win- dow, he had passed around the corner of the office to the repair shop, out of which was the exit leading to the street. There was an atmosphere present among the men indicative of something unusual; they were talking in suppressed tones, a little group here, another there ; and upon the faces of all was a look of expectancy for the arrival of one who had not yet put in his appearance. Presently big Jack Comstock, one of the moulders, was seen approaching, and with him the foreman, Ned Campbell. As Ned reached the midst of the fifty or more employees, they suddenly and as if with one volition, congregated about him. Each was clothed in his shop apparel, grimy with the sweat and dirt of the day's work; each was carrying his empty dinner pail, and each one seemed engrossed with thoughts of the same subject. Looking from one to the other, as if to read in their faces their thoughts, and hoping that some of them would break the stillness, Ned finally said, "Well boys, there seems to be some- thing unusual on your minds, and while Jack has asked me to come out here and see you, he has not told me the purpose of the gathering. I hope that those old rumors of discontent and a threatened strike have not broken out again, but if they have, let me say in advance, I am against you. You all know, of course, that I am no longer your foreman, but I want to say to you that the earnings of the company, owing to the business depression, do not warrant an increase in salaries at this time, and I hope that you'll stand by the company and wait for better times." As he paused, waiting for someone either to dispel his fears or verify his suspicions as to the purpose of this informal 13 Course 'taint much, Mr. Campbell, but it's our brotherly feeling for a man what's always showed a brotherly feeling for us. 14 The Home That Was Built by Hens 15 gathering, suddenly big Jack stepped out from the group of men and said, "No, IMr. Campbell, 'taint that; but if 'twant that you've always told the boys that it pays to play fair, we'd think it was our duty to "go out" in a bunch tonight, just be- cause of the way you've been treated by the company. We don't think it's square. You've been the best friend us boys ever had. When we w'as right, you always stood by us, and when we was wrong, you always showed us what was right. There ain't a man here tonight what wouldn't go on his hands and knees from Harlem to Hoboken for you, even in the middle of the night, and that's 'cause we've always found you on the square. "Now, in handlin' pig iron and breakin' up forms, I am right to home and strong on the job, but when it comes to speech-making, course I'm a little shy on the big words. The hojs has got me into a job this time that I guess I ain't going to till with much satisfaction to anybody, so if I get tired, I'll take my medicine like a man. "The fact is, Mr. Campbell, that we're here just as you see us poor fellers, all dirt, but all wool at the same time. There ain't any more polish on us than there is in what I'm saying; but, if you could look downi under these sweaters and jumpers, you'd find some hearts that are this minute jumping like jack rabbits, and the kind what comes about as near being the real stutf as you'll find anywhere in the world. AVe all know that you're going away tonight, and that we w^on't see you around here any more, nor hear you say 'good morning' to the fellers when the w^histle blows. I guess mebbe if we was to tell the truth, this laying off by the company has sort of put a damper on Christmas for all of us; but it's done and that's all there is to it. We ain't getting very big wages just now, and we've all got families, but — but — we've got something — gol darn it! — that is, the boys here has gone and bought something, I guess it's called a silver coffee pot, and some fixings that goes along with it, as a sort of Christmas present for you and Mrs. Camp- bell, and as a sort of showing our feelings at this time. Course 'taint much, Mr. Campbell, but it shows our brotherly feeling for a man what's always showed a brotherly feeling for us. "I've been a long time getting this speech out of my hide, and I hope you'll take the present and that it'll make you think kind thoughts of us boys when you're away. Now, here it is, and as its purchase represents the sweat of our brows and the 16 The Home That Was Built by Hens aching of our muscles, so does it carry with it our love for you and yours and our best wishes wherever you go." The stillness was unbroken for some time, save for the sus- picious wiping of noses and rubbing of eyes on the coat sleeves of those big, honest toilers in the realm of industrial activity. Tears glistened in the eyes of Ned Campbell as he gazed upon this splendid token of his men's love for him. When at last he felt a confidence in his voice which would enable him to speak, he said: "Boys, this gift means more to me than words can express. It is not what you've given; but it's the manner in which you've given it. As I gaze upon it in the years to come, it will picture to my mind this little gather- ing here tonight, and the faces of you men, who, in the years in which Ave have been associated together, I have learned to love as my brother men. It will recall the many evidences of your sturdy integrity, your loyalty to my ideas of fairness and justice and the sacrifice I know each of you have been com- pelled to make in its purchase. Tomorrow is Christmas Day. Tomorrow we celebrate the birth of Him of whom it has been written: <nt down to read this part of the story, that you will do so with your mind prepared to take up carefully each suggestion, realizing that each one will make for your success, or failure, according as you follow or dis- regard them. To begin with, the poultry business is in no way different from every other business, in this regard, to wit.: you must have some knowledge of the business, otherwise you are doomed to disappoint- ment from the start. What, ask yourself, would be the result, if you were to embark in the grocery business, the dry-goods business, the drug business, or any other business, without the first idea as to its requirements? Your good judgment will at once tell you that failure would be the logical outcome. The poultry business is no expection to this rule and yet the knowledge of principles may be readily obtained by a careful perusal of the best of the poultry journals, supplemented by the various bulletins of the experimental stations. Young Campbell had his foundation laid in the knowledge obtained at the agricultural college, and the very same knowledge of foundation facts, may be obtained in the manner that I have herein suggested. There is nothing intricate, or mysterious about it. Just patient and painstaking application of well known and well established prin- ciples that any man or woman of good common sense and a deter- mination to succeed may easily apply. If it is your desire to engage in the "fancy" end of the business, select such breed as your "fancy" may suggest. Be sure, however, not to take up the breeding of "fancy poultry" until you have mastered the details surrounding the breeding of "market poultry." BUILDINGS. I believe it to be true when I say that in all probability the high- way of the poultry industry, has been strewn with more wrecks from an indulgence of expensive poultry buildings than from any other one cause. This is so for more reasons than one. In the first place, these expensive buildings are usually built for show rather than for 68 The Home That Was Built by Hens practicality. Second, they hardly ever conform to the simple, yet absolute requirements of a "good" poultry house, in that they do not provide quarters that are at all times absolutely dry, well ventilated and free from draughts. Poultry buildings should be inexpensive. They must be dry. They must be well ventilated and free from draughts. They should face the east and south in such a manner as to provide an abundance of sunlight during the short days of the Winter months, at which time sunlight is of so very great importance to the flock. The poultry house should be so located that there is perfect drainage to the end that there may be no dampness. Within the brief space of Point No. Three we have told you of the essential things regarding "Buildings." The American Poultry Jour- nal Publishing Co. of Chicago, will furnish you with the very best plans and details for poultry house construction and of buildings that are inexpensive. Remember that the less your investment is the easier it will be to make your net earnings pay the interest upon that investment. FOOD. Under this heading you will find ample opportunity to use every bit of your good judgment if you would keep within the bounds of the realm of profitable feeding. There are several elements that come under this head, and I shall make brief mention of each. Because this reference is ''brief," is not to be taken as a reason for disregarding a single one of them because if you do, it will mean that you are simply dropping facts and flirting with your imagination. Water. Eggs are about 80 per cent water. Hence, if eggs are to be obtained, water must be supplied in an abundance. It must be f/esh and at all times kept free from filth. Grit. It is in the gizzard of the fowl that the grinding process takes place of all the grains fed and eaten. It is by this grinding process that the food contained in the grains is assimilated and made to provide the elements that go to make up the "meat" of the 'igg- Hence "grit" — and plenty of it — must be provided. Lime. The amount of lime that goes into the construction of the egg shell requires that an abundance of shell-making material must at all times be provided, and experience has shown that there is no one product that will do this so well as oyster shell, ground. Hard coal ashes are sometimes used and will do as a substitute for a short period if out of the oyster shell. Sanitation. This simply means CLEANLINESS. You will please note that I have spelled this word with capital letters. I do this so that its importance may stand out in bold type because of its very great importance, especially where there are large numbers of fowls kept together. The Home That Was BuiU by Hens 69 Elbert Hubbard, the East Aurora Philosopher, says, ' ' Cleanliness is not only next to Godliness but it is Godliness itself." Clean Ktter. Clean dropping boards. Clean, wholesome air, and clea7i quarters generally will pay pay the biggest kind of dividends on the labor required to secure them. Lice, mites, germs and filth of all kinds must be fought religiously. To produce energy takes feed. Feed costs money. Energy ex- pended in fighting lice is money lost, and that is not the road that leads to success in the Poultry Business. FOOD. Two purposes are to be subserved in the feeding of your poultry. One is to furnish a sufficient amount for the bodily economy of the fowl, and the other to provide just that additional amount that is necessary for the production of the egg. Plainly here is an opportunity for the Poultryman to exercise all of that commodity commonly known as "horse sense," to the end that he may strike the proper medium and supply just the amount required for the purposes indicated and not waste the feed that costs money. Later on you will find feed formulas that have the approval of some of the very best authorities on the subject of feeding and these are submitted for your careful thought and application to the particu- lar branch of the business which you may pursue. THE START. If you have had no experience in the poultry business, start with a small flock. This is important on the same theory that no man ever made a good captain until he had first served his time as a private. No successful poultry business ever resulted from a plunge on a large scale. There are inumerable little details connected with the poultry business. Each of these must be mastered. Each of these must be given careful attention each day, in order that success may be assured. There is no branch of animal husbandry, or of agricul- ture that has better support than is given to the poultry industry by the poultry papers, journals and magazines. Hence the importance of subscribing for the best of these journals, and reading them carefully. Knowledge means to know. A business built upon a thorough knowledge of its requirements is based upon a solid foundation. A business built upon guess work may be compared to a house built on the sand. Starting with a small flock, and being successful, you may double your flock the second year. If, from the result of your second year's venture, you find yourself naturally equipped for the business, and the credit side of your account shows a profit, you may double the size of your flock the third year. "Go Slow," is a motto to be hung where you can see it daily. 70 The Home That Was Built by Hens FEEDING. Volumes have been written and printed upon the subject of feeding and all that we will say on this subject is that "Al" Campbell found that the "best" way was to feed all grains in good clean litter and to provide a dry mash so that the fowls might help themselves at any time. This practice is entirely in accord with the ideas of the writer and we believe represents the best thought that has been given the subject by those who have had much experience and ought to Icnow. Do not overlook the fact that if you are trying to produce eggs in the Winter months you must in some manner approximate Nature 's conditions as far as possible, in the matter of furnishing some green or succulent ration for the fowls. There are many ways in which this may be done. There is the "sprouted oat" plan; the feeding of roots, alfalfa, etc. Personally, we are very partial to alfalfa, as we have found it to be a most excel- lent food. GENEEAL OBSEEVATIONS. In the opinion of the writer there is no business in which one may engage where there is so much of independence and splendid returns for the effort expended as in this Poultry Business. If you are in the egg business, collect eggs twice daily, summer and winter. Make all shipments sufficiently often to insure the abso- lute freshness of your product. Good, wholesome food to healthy birds, in clean quarters, spells money. Hatch your chicks in April or May. Eaise as many as you can the old fashioned way. If the volume of your business is large, it will require the use of incubators. Study the poultry papers, and the valuable catalogs furnished by the various incubator and brooder makers. The Lord gave fowl a coat of feathers sufficient to protect them in the most rigorous climate, if they are protected from drafts, so don't pamper them. Every hen that you keep, if properly cared for, will return you a net profit of $2.00 per year. As you learn the details of the poultry industry this profit can be more than doubled. Five hundred hens can be kept on five acres of land and show a net profit each year of from $1,000 to $3,000, according to the ability of the "man behind the hens." One man can easily care for five hundred fowls. Don 't try to get ahead too fast. Be patient and willing to learn. $750,000,000 are paid annually for poultry and poultry products. We have told you in this little book how to get your share of it. Don't dream about it. Get it. The Publishers will answer any questions you may wish to ask, and cheerfully give you the benefit of their experience at any time. Simply address your inquiry to the "Advisory Department" American Poultry Journal Publishing Co., Chicago, 111. FEEDING . THE . LAYERS BY J. C. GRAHAM Professor of Poultry Husbandry, Massachusetts Agriculture College With the scientific and practical development of poultry feeding there have come into common use a number of terms not usually understood by amateurs. It is necessary to know the meaning of these in order to read intelligently much that is written on feeds and feeding in poultry journals. Protein is a name applied to complex substances containing nitrogen. This food constituent is necessary in all rations, as it enters largely into lean meat, blood, skin, nerves, eggs, etc. Carbohydrates is a term used to designate a class of nutrients composed largely of starches and sugars. These, together with the fibre, constitute the bulky part of feeds. They furnish energy for the body, or are con- verted into fats and stored up for future use. Fats, as the term implies, includes the oily portions of feed, together with waxes, etc. These perform about the same function as carbohydrates. Ration. A ration is the amount of feed given a hen or flock for their maintenance for a period of 24 hours. It matters not whether this is fed at one time or at different times during the day. Balanced Ration. A balanced ration is the amount of feed containing the proper proportions of protein, carbohydrates, and fats to maintain a hen or flock for 24 hours without waste of any one of the nutrients. Growing Ration. A growing ration is a maintenance ration plus the amount necessary for growth. Egg-Laying Ration. An egg-laying ration is a maintenance ration plus the amount necessary for egg production. The table of digestible nutrients on the following page is almost self- explanatory. For example, in 100 lbs. of corn there are 7.8 lbs. of crude protein, 66.8 lbs. of carbohydrates, and 4.3 lbs. of fat. It must be kept in mind that these percentages do not represent the amount of crude protein, carbohydrates and fats in the grains and feeding stuffs, but the digestible portions. From the chemical analyses of the hen and the egg, we find that a balanced ration is one that contains 1 part protein to about 4.5 parts of carbohydrates and fats. Thus it is seen that of our common grains the one that comes nearest to being a complete ration for hens is oats, but on account of the fibrous husk, and many times the price, it is not fed to such an extent as corn and wheat. These three grains are the principal ones used in feeding poultry. Buckwheat and barley are sometimes used when tliey can be obtained at reasonable prices. Kafllreorn, millet seed and sunflower seed are also used in compounding scratch feeds, but on account of the high price of these they are considered too expensive to feed except in very limited quantities. The low price of corn compared with that of other grains makes it the most important grain used in feeding poultry. It should therefore form a large part of the ration. Note. — This note is inserted for the benefit of those who are interested in the balancing of rations. The nutritive ratio of any grain or feed is the ratio between the amount of digestible crude protein and the sum of the carbohydrates and fats. As the fuel value of fat is 2.25 times that of carbohydrates it is multiplied by that factor before being added to the carbohydrates. For example, the nutritive ratio of corn is found as follows: From the table on this page we find that in 100 lbs. of corn there are 7.8 lbs. of digestible crude protein, 66.8 lbs. of carbohydrates, and 4.3 lbs. of fats (4.3X2.25) + 66.8 =9.8 7.8 9.8 is tlie second term of the ratio and 1 the first term. The nutritive ratio of corn is thus found to be 1:9.8. To find the nutritive ratio of two or more grains of feeding stuffs get the combined amounts of crude protein, carbohydrates and fats, and find the nutritive ratio of the sums as above. In compounding a mash have the nutritive ratio about 1:2.2 to 1:2.5 for best results. TABLE OF DIGESTIBLE NUTRIMENTS. Crude Name of Feed. Protein. Carbohydrates Fat. 1. Grains — Lbs. Lbs. Lbs. 1. Corn 7.8 66.8 4.3 ■ 2. Wheat 8.8 67.5 1.5 3. Oats 10.7 50.3 3.8 4. Buckwheat 8.1 48.2 2 4 5. Barley 8.4 65.3 1.6 6. Rye 9.5 69.4-' 1.2 7. Kafiircorn 5.2 44.3 1.4 8. Millet 7.1 48.5 2.5 9. Sunflower Seed 14.8 29.7 18.2 10. Rice 6.4 72.2 .4 2. Ground grains and their parts — 1. Corn meal 6.7 64.3 3.5 2. Gluten feed 21.3 52.8 2.9 3. "Wheat bran 11.9 42.0 2.5 4. "Wheat middlings 16.9 53.6 4.1 5. Buckwheat middlings 27.7 37.5 6.1 6. Red Dog flour 16.2 57.0 3.4 7. Linseed meal 30.2 32.0 6.9 8. Oatmeal 11.9 - 55.1 6.7 9. Cottonseed meal 37-6 21.4 9.6 3. Animal products — 1. Beef scrap 66.2 13.4 2. Dried blood 60.8 2.5 3. Green cut bone 4. Skim milk 2.9 5.3 .3 5. Buttermilk 3.8 3.0 1.0 4. Green feed — 1. Alfalfa 117 40.9 1.0 2. Clover 7.1 37.8 1.8 3. Beets or mangels 1.2 7.9 0.1 4. Cabbage 2.3 5.9 0.1 5. Carrots 8 7.7 0.3 6. Potatoes 8 22.9 0.3 7. Sprouted oats 8. Garden refuse Animal Products. — Green cut bone is one of the best animal products to feed laying hens, but there is a question as to the advisability of feeding it to breeders. There is no animal product that is more stimulating than this. Skim milk and buttermilk are very valuable feeds. There is not much danger in feeding too much of these. If a wet mash is fed, it can be moistened with skim milk or buttermilk, and in addition the hens may be given what they will drink. It is better to sour the skim milk before feeding on account of the favorable effect of the lactic acid upon the digestive apparatus of the hen. Of the animal products beef scrap is the most widely used. Green Feed. — It is necessary to feed laying hens some kind of green feed. If this cannot be fed every day, it should be fed at least two or three times a week. Alfalfa and clover are two very valuable green feeds. They can be ground and fed in a dry mash or can be cut in quarter or half inch lengths with an ordinary feed cutter and mixed with a wet mash, or soaked in water for a few hours, the water drained off, and then put in a trough for the chickens to eat. Beets, mangels and cabbages can be split open and hung in the poultry houses or placed in a trough so that the birds can pick them as they choose, or they can be run through a root cutter and then placed in troughs. In feeding carrots it is necessary on account of their small size to run them through a feed cutter. Sprouted oats are one of the best green feeds that can be obtained, but there is a question as to whether one can afford to feed them. As a rule, oats that will grow well are high in price, and we do not get the full nutritive value from the oats when fed in this form, but the effect of the sprouted oats upon the digestive system will probably offset this. I believe one cannot afford the sprouted oats for layers at the price usually paid, but I think one can for breeders, as in the latter case, it is not a question of the cost of the feed for them, but a question of having the hens in the best possible condition for the production of strong, fer- tile eggs. Rations. — There are about as many methods of feeding poultry as there are poultry men, and yet there are perhaps more questions asked regarding this subject than any other. It is a well-known fact that one can feed almost any ration to hens and get good results for a time, providing he feeds enough of it, but to feed in such a way that the hens will be strong and vigorous and have good appetites, and to get the most possible for the amount of feed and labor expended is another question. In other words, the time has come, with our high-priced feed, when we must feed ^s economically as possible. Ration 1.- — Ration without mash. Good results can be obtained by feeding a grain ration and balancing it with milk. A good ration for this method of feeding is 2 parts cracked corn, 1 part wheat and 1 part oats. In addition to this, by giving the hens all the milk they will drink, enough protein will be furnished so that they can balance their own ration. This ration can be varied by substituting beef scrap for milk. The beef scrap can be fed in a hopper, and if the hens are inclined to eat too much of it, the hopper can be closed a part of the day. It can also be varied by substituting barley and buckwheat for corn and wheat respectively where these grains are available. A great variety of grains such as we find in commercial scratch feeds, can be fed and balanced by feeding either milk, beef scrap, or green cut bone. Ration 2. — Combination ration (grains and dry mash.) This is perhaps the most popular ration used in feeding poultry at the present time. In feeding this ration one can give a greater variety, utilize waste products and concentrates, can determine more nearly the amount eaten, utilize bulky materials, prevent waste, and stimulate the hens. The disadvantages of a dry mash are that we are apt to get the mash too rich, too bulky and get too much fibrous material in it, and if the hoppers are not constructed properly there will be more or less waste. It is not forcing, and birds must be taught to eat it. The advantages of a dry mash over a wet mash are that it saves labor, avoids decomposed materials, can be eaten when desired, prepared at leisure, and is more sanitary. The grains used in this ration are the same as in ration 1, and the two following formulae for dry mashes are recom.mendecl. There is very little difference in their nutritive ratio: Mash 1. Mash 2. 2 parts wheat bran. 1 part wheat bran. 1 part wheat middlings. 1 part wheat middlings. 1 part corn meal. 1 part corn meal. 1 part alfalfa (ground). 1 part of finely ground oats. % part beef scrap. 1 part alfalfa (ground). % part oil meal. 1 part beef scrap. % part gluten meal. Eation 3. — Combination ration (grains and wet mash). — A great deal has been said regarding the harmful effects of wet mash, but I believe it is not the wet mash that is injurious, but the method of feeding it. If a wet mash is used instead of a dry one, the later in the day it can be fed the better; but it is usually fed in the morning, and when so fed the hens are allowed to fill up on it. Under these conditions, they sit around and are inactive the greater part of the day. If the mash is fed in the morning, or at noon, just about half what the hens will eat should be given, but when fed at night they can be given all they will eat. I believe this is the secret of getting good results in feeding a wet mash. In pursuing this method the same grains mentioned tinder ration 1 are used, also the mash given in ration 2, except that is mixed to a crumbly Btate with water. If milk is used instead of water, about one-half the amount of beef scrap is omitted. The wet mash can be varied by incor- porating waste vegetables. These may be cooked and mixed with the mash, but the droppings should be watched carefully, and if they are found to become too watery the amount of vegetable matter should be cut down. Method. — Our method of feeding layers at the College is as follows: The dry mash is kept in hoppers before the hens at all times, and a scratch feed composed of 2 parts cracked corn, 1 part wheat, and 1 part oats is fed night and morning. The scratch feed is varied, depending somewhat upon the condition of the hens. We go into the houses occasionally at night and feel of the hens to see whether or not they are over fat. If they are, more oats and wheat and less corn are fed. Sometimes we feed three parts of corn to 2 parts of wheat at night and oats in the morning. At times oats are fed alone because hens like corn and wheat a little better than oats, and when the three are mixed together the wheat and corn are picked up first and those that eat the fastest get very little of the oats. At certain seasons of the year we feed more grain at night in the litter than the hens will eat so there will be some left for them to work on early the next morning. This is found to he a very satisfactory method. If we want to force the hens, in addition to the dry mash and grain, we moisten some of the mash, getting it to a crumbly state and placing it in troughs. This is fed at night. Fresh water, oyster shell and grit are kept before the hens. Potassium permanganate is one of the best disinfectants for drinking water. It is not expensive, costing about 35 cents per pound. It comes in crystal form and a few crystals should be placed in the drinking water, enough to give it a good red color. This is not a medicine, but a disinfectant pure and simple. Mangels and cabbages are fed whole every day when possible, but at least three times a week. The cement floors are covered with about 4 inches of coarse sand, then straw and baled shavings are spread over it. Last 10 year baled shavings were used because they were cheaper and gave good results. We use coarse sand instead of loam, as the sand does not pack but remains loose so that it can be easily scratched over. Loam would also become very dusty. The sand, too, makes good dusting material for the hens to keep down lice. It is impossible for one to give the exact amount of feed for a flock of hens, as the quantity depends upon several variable factors. If hens were all of the same size and of the same activity, and laid the same, number of eggs of the same weight, and they all had the same power of digestion, the amount could easily be determined, but as these are variable factors it is impossible to do so. The amount to feed is governed by the action of the hens, the amount of grain found in litter and hoppers at feeding time. The judgment of the attendant is the main factor in feeding hens, TWO GOOD FALL RATIONS FOR STOCK BIRDS AND WINTER LAYERS - BY PRINCE T. WOODS, M. T>. Managing Editor American Poultry Journal Here is a good fall ration for stock birds and layers you intend to winter. Scratch grain to be fed in automatic feeders. If you feed by hand, use twice daily, substituting corn feeding on cold evenings two or three times a week: Pounds. Cracked corn 300 Heavy white oats (clipped) 120 Wheat (hard red) 100 Buckwheat 30 Sunflower seed 30 Coarse beef scrap (sifted) 20 Dry mash to be kept before all birds all the time in box hoppers: Pounds. Wheat bran 150 Middlings 100 Ground oats 100 Corn meal 100 Gluten feed lUO Best fish meal 50 Best beef scrap 50 Every other two weeks add to the above mixture 50 pounds of old process linseed meal. Twenty-five pounds of dry "milk all^umen" may be substituted for a part of the fish or beef scrap if you have it. If neither fish nor milk albumen are easily obtainable, use 100 pounds of beef scrap. Be sure to feed an abundance of fresh succulent green food every day. Without plenty of green food, or with early hatched pullets and fowl that have been scantily fed all summer on range, this ration is apt to start a molt, particularly if the birds are rather closely confined. With liberal range and an abundance of greens no troublesome molt need be expected. Some pullets will molt anyway on being housed, but with us it has not interferred witli egg production. For big pullets in full feather and good flesh, cut out the sunflower seed and the lin* seed meal. DEC 12 1! American Poultry Journal Year Book PUBLISHED ANNUALLY The Authoritative Poultry Encyclopaedia The 1913 edition contains 379 pages; eleven four-color illustrations of single birds and pairs from life, mounted on heavy paper suitable for framing, and 35 other illustrations, breeding charts, poultry house de- signs, etc. The Year Book is not only an almanac of happenings in the poultry world during the season, but the condensed information on every subject relating to the poultry industry renders it invaluable for reference. 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