Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1852-02-05

Probable Fowls.

IN nv last communication, q few stats
tics were presented to show to the Formers
Of Litchfeld County, that the subject of
Poultry Culture was important. It is my
present purpose to offer the result of a
Jingle experiment. to show that it may al
so be profitable.
NUMBER OF FOWLS KEPT.
The whole number Of fowls kept on my
farm during the last winter, was SIX ruL-
LETS and ROOSTER. They were all of one
breed, that there might not be the necessi-
ty of shutting them up. which arises from
keeping many kinds. The number was
so small. for the purpose Of gaining the
largest profit.
BREED.
The iudicious selection of a race of
chickens. requires good taste and scien-
tifc knowledge. After thorough exami-
nation of all the known species, either by
description or specimens, all appeared liza
bic to some objections The native varie-
ties are mostly mongrels, aud likely to pro-
duce a progeny OF no fixed character
The European varieties are many Of them
extremely beautiful, and at least two Of
them the pure Dorking and Black Span
ish-, excellent +; but none of them attain
sufficient weight to satisfy the present
demand for large fowls.
The Asiatic fowls recently imported
into this country, are the only varieties
large enough. But these also have their
defects. They are too long limbed, large
boned, rough i'll p(umage, indolent in dis
position, and stupid in appearance.
determined at last to unite one of
the large Asiatic, with one of the most
beautiful of the European varieties. with
the hope Of producing those having the
large size Of the one, and tho beauty of
the other combined. A black Cochin Chi
ma cock was bought of G. P. Burnham, Of
Boston, of stock imported by him. in the
winter OF 1919. Its size was large, color
neat lack, and form less Objectionable than
that of most of the Eastern fowls. The
six pullets were Of the black Spanish
variety, purchased of Livingston, Of
Long Island.
| TREATMENT OF THE FOWLS.
The fowls were provided with warm
perches in the basement of the barn open
ing OIL the south side into a warm yard.
They were fed principally OH corn. Ami
NAL food was given them occasionally, and
also. vegetables. Broken shells. old NOR
tor, aud gravel, were placed within their
reach. and ashes in boxes. to crafty their
propensity for wallowing.
! TREATMENT OF THE EGGS.
As early in the Spring as the weather
would permit. the eggs were collected for
setting. Setting hens of the common kind
were bought wherever they could be found
transferred into boxes prepared for the
purpoae. covered up, and carefully removed
without disturbing them. Some Of them
were carried. several miles.
The boxes were placed, and not uncov.
cred until after dark. Some food was pla'
ced near by. and the hen left undisturbeG
to set for few days. on two or three com
mon eggs, until she became steady in hel
new home. and the imported fowls had pro-
duced the regular number Of eggs then
taking advantage Of her temporary ab'
sence from her nest, the common eggs were
removed. and those Of the imported fowls
introduced in their place. s+
In this manner, the layers had no inter
| ruptions to the production Of eggs. or the
,! sei:..rs to the Matching Of chickens-a sort
Of SUD- ;vi-ion Of labor, not quite satisfac.
tory to the operatives. but very profitable
to the proprietor.
In the best part of the season. the six
layers would lay fast enough to set Ien
once in three days. As soon as the eggs
were Matched, the chickens were taken
away, and new lot Of eggs placed under
the same hens, so that some Of the best Of
the settlers were kept on Matching in sue
cession three or four broods. without any
respite. OF course. they were well cared
for, kept warm. and water and a variety of
! food kept near their nests. During their
FIRST period of incubation. they as usual,
grew poor; but afterward, there was but
little apparent change in their health and
condition.
TREATMENr OF THE CHICKENS.
The first hen which Matched. was made
mother, not only for her own brood, but
for others. Az fast as the chicks were
Matched. -thAy -.A,A.s-sa aso1r away, and pla-
ced with the first brood. until by repeated
additions, the number was about forty. If
the common mother exhibited at any time
the least discomfort at these surreptitious
additions to her family, her room was dark.
ened os punishment. until she was willing
to perform her maternal duties with be-
coming impartiaity.
These large broods were kept in dry
and warm room, and suffered to run at
large. under keeper. only in pleasant
weather, in the middle Of the day.
Their food was corn not ground, but
slightly broken; as the food Of fowls in
their natural state. is grains, and not mush.
Oaeas;onallu thap had animal and ,onatn