Keeping Chickens Newsletter

Diary of A Poultry Keeper
~November~
Thoughts from a rural poultry keeper at the turn of the last century.

"A dull, dark month outwardly, but a joyful one to the farmer who hears his pullets cackle in joy as they lay their diurnal egg. A terrible month to the man who has hatched late, is getting no eggs and has to pay out a heavy weekly food bill. It is the time to make pious resolutions about early hatching next season. A few of the older hens may be beginning to lay again, but as a rule do not expect eggs from the old hens this month.

The cold may be intense and the scratching-shed must be kept free from draughts, while maize should be fed every other day in place of wheat. Oats are also a fine feed for cold weather."