It is a very good practice also to occasionally put a few drops of Kerosene oil into the bottom of the cup and then allow the water to run in. The Kerosene will run over the entire surface of the cup and then rise to the top of the water. As the birds dip their bills to drink a small amount of the Kerosene is taken up on the bill, and, when the head is thrown back to swallow it runs into the nostrils.
The drinking fountains are occasionally thoroughly cleansed with a strong solution of Washing Soda. This, of course, is carefully washed out of the fountains before they are filled up and placed in the Laying Houses.
Hot Water in Cold Weather
In the Breeding and Laying Houses during the cold months, hot water is placed in the fountains. On The Corning Egg Farm a large boiler, with a hot water attachment, is maintained for this purpose, and water is taken to the Laying Houses at as close to boiling point as it is possible to get it there.
Hens Drink More in Afternoon
At first the watering was done early in the morning, but now the watering hour has been changed to the first hour of the afternoon. The reason for this is because, by sitting in the Laying Houses and watching the birds, it was discovered that from one o’clock to roosting time more water is consumed than at any other hours of the day. At first it was thought that Biddy, on leaving her roost, immediately sought the drinking fountain, but we find the first act, generally speaking, is to endeavor to fill the crop with grain, and she vigorously starts to work in the litter.
By placing the hot water in the fountains during the hour after noon, we find that with the closing of the house for the night, the water retains its temperature to a remarkable degree, and it is not at all chilling to the birds in the morning of ordinary cold weather. If the night has been an extremely cold one we make it a practice of going through the Houses with boiling water, emptying out what may be in the cups, and refilling them from the hot water can, thus giving any bird which may desire a large quantity, warm water to drink at this time in the morning.
The supply of water for all the stock on The Corning Egg Farm comes from the deep well, already described in the chapter on “Building the Farm.”
CHAPTER XV
Hard Coal Ashes, Oyster Shell, and Grit
As stated in the chapter on “Anthracite Coal Ashes,” ashes have entirely taken the place of charcoal on The Corning Egg Farm. They are fed in hoppers with the Grit and Oyster Shell. These hoppers are divided into three compartments, and are automatic in feeding down the ingredients, in small quantities at a time, for Biddy’s use.