Pay special attention to the water supply.  Have clean water available at all times.  And do not leave the water dishes in the sun, which will quickly make the water so warm that it is unfit to drink.

Give the growing pullets as much space, indoors and out, as you possibly can.  Feed them liberally.  Keep them clean and comfortable.  In every way help them gain the health, strength and vigor which they must have in order to do full duty in the laying and breeding pens.

Finally, cull your flock without mercy, beginning at hatching time and continuing to the end.  If any baby chicks are crippled or weak, dispose of them at once.  As the flock grows, mark—­by toe punching or otherwise—­all individuals which show evidence of being lacking in vigor, which are stunted or do not make rapid growth, which fail to feather properly, which are ever noticeably sick.  Then rush them to market as soon as they reach the proper weight.  Thus you will save for your own use only those which are physically right, which have the health and stamina that will enable them to stand up under the strain of continuous egg-production.  And such a flock, after it has undergone the further culling of a year in the laying pen, will give you breeding birds capable of producing worthwhile chicks.

Poultry Diseases

Prevention of disease is most essential.  And the first step consists of carefully selecting the birds which will he given a place in the flock, retaining only those which are healthy and vigorous, and rejecting the weaklings and physically unfit.  The next step is to keep the birds in a high state of vitality through proper management and keep contagious and infectious diseases away by adopting the necessary sanitary measures.

Fresh air, wholesome food and clean water are essential.  Equally necessary is the use of Pratts Poultry Regulator, which keeps the birds in perfect condition internally and so prevents such self-developed disorders as indigestion, constipation, and the like.

Most of the serious diseases which take heavy toll of carelessly managed flocks are due to germs of various kinds.  These may be introduced in many different ways, and when present in the flock they multiply and spread with great rapidity.  Cleanliness and sanitation will largely overcome them, and as each fowl is worth so much money under present conditions, it is really economical to prevent loss even at the expense of some time and of germ-killing preparations.

Pratts Poultry Disinfectant costs but a trifle.  A gallon, diluted with water, makes fifty gallons of a powerful disinfectant, one that is highly efficient, but both safe and pleasant to use.  Spray the house and furnishings and wash feed and water containers at frequent intervals with this economical germ-killer.  Results will surely be seen in healthier, more productive birds, less trouble and less loss from disease.

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Staunton, Va.

     I would not have tried to raise expensive poultry without Pratts
     products in my house.  While I was a boy at home we always had a
     supply of Pratts on hand.