The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1845-06-23
The Farmer.
From the Statement Of James l.. Child.
MANAGEMENT OF HENS.

MANANEhENl Vt ltENS.
vy hens laid nearly as we'll during tho winter as in
l.. w,m weather Their habitations were warm, and
:, constructed as to bring them to the ground, where
M, found at all times good supply ofod plasterng,
, puverized oyster shells, charcoal. fresh water,
:. or twice week beef liver, or some other kind
JnonL feed chiefly upon baked or boiled potatoes,
5,io, their food TO them warm in the morning and
'o,b, occasionally dealing to them a little corn or
,,,, and giving them all the crumbs, and skins and
t,coenls of cooked vegetables. To prevent their
,ssnrested with lice, about once fortnight mix
bjough so to discolor IL, quantity of -four of
n himsoae, which is sure preventative as we'll as
,,ny, and may be safely given in small quantities
Srouus chickens, for the same purpose.
Rvl be seen from my mode Of keeping my hens,
which average about rs and 8 ROSTERS, through the
WINTER that cannot give the precise cost of keeping,
4 but am satisfied that potatoes may be given as a
,nm food, and fowls kept cheaper in this mode
ynh any other-and they will always be ready for
apt, rnOt slinted in quantity. find my fowls
ia all seasons.
estimate that my hens afford me from their eggs,
without regard 10 their meat, clear profit of so
per cent confne them to their yard, hen
house, and barn cellar during gardening, and to their
hOns and cellar in the winter, and think with that
degree Of confinement, they lay better than they do
when allowed to wander at large. Hen houses and
rooss should be kept next, and often whitewashed,
sad their nests should always have half an inch or
Of ashes or lime on the bottom, under the hay
BOkon rotten eggs should never be allowed to re-
main in the nests. Dirty water shoud not be given
them. To do well, they require pure water. and all!
their food fresh and unnured by faint or fermenta-
tOn estimate that during the year, (deducting the
time Of their mouting and inclination to set) have
gold,iy, one halfas many eggs as have had
laying hens.
Every family can, with very lhtle trouble, with
6er flock Of dozen hens, have fresh eggs in plenty,
daring the whole year, say in all 1000, and 100 full
gVn chickens, and Of all the animals domesticated
rAe use Of man, (if such be the fact.) the hen is
arbe Of yielding the greatest profit to the owner
hna pleasant recreation to feed and tend a bevy
Of laying mems.
Caro- Sbould DO taken to change ROSTERS often, as
otherwise The best variety in the world will run out,
and cease to be profitable from breeding in: and feel
great confidence that much improvement may be
made by due attention to crossing and in this way
"me Of the evils from breeding be averted. have
H"ed that give my fowls meat:-this is indispen-
sable they are not allowed to 90 at large.
corn is fed out, it should be soaked and l BUSH
''ba fair yearly allowance for IL and rooster -
But they should always have food by them, and after
they have become Infatuated to find enough at all
times in the trough, they take but few kernels at
time, except JUST before retiring roost when they
will take nearly spoonful into their crops; but if
they are scanIly or rregulury fed, they will greed
y snatch up whole crop full at time, and stop lay
'ngnnd not unirequeniy engender fatal disease.
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