This is the time for “Preparedness” in our line of work, first let us who raise white birds prepare them for winter by feeding them white corn instead of yellow, this is to keep them from becoming creamy and yellow, which yellow corn most certainly will do although the analysis of both white and yellow is identical, the color pigment in the yellow will add the color, to both lobes and plumage, and is particularly to be avoided if they are to be exhibited or sold. Not that it injures them in the least for utility purposes or for profitable use.
This is a good time also to “Prepare” for winter, put the fixtures needed in the early growth of the chicks up, and be sure that they are in the condition that they should be next spring when you are rushed with the care of incubators and baby chicks. There are always the small drinking vessels and hovers and heaters which were needed in the spring but which they have outgrown now, which can be packed away out of the winter storms and where they will be handy to get at when wanted.
Then there are always little things to make ship shape around the winter houses, window panes have a way of getting broken, and it is much more comfortable to stand in the shade some day and replace them, than to be obliged to stand in the sour fall rain someday. Two of our winter houses are getting new cement floors. The ones which have been used for several years, have a way of getting damp altogether too quickly, so a layer of tar paper is placed on top of the old one and another coat of cement laid, with the expectation that they will keep drier and thereby lessen the labor of cleaning and also lessen the cost of straw.