Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1854-02-09
AerItuItnral.
He that by the PlOw would thrive.
Himself must either hold or drive.
THE BREEDING AND REARING OF
POULTRY.

No subject discussed in agricultural journals
and books is more hackneyed than that pOul-
try. Fowls Ofevery size. from the tiny Ban
.ams scarcely large enough to crow. up to those
mammoth birds from China, which are at once
monsters in growth and monsters in defOrmity
have been described with all the minateness
and professional learning OF domestic OrnithOl.
Ogy. With particular races Of breeds, as com.
pared with others We have nothing to do
our purpose is to deal with general principles,
and suggest certain economical views in the
breeding and rearing of poultry applicable alike
to birds Of every feather kept either for eggs
or flesh. Ducks and Guinea fowls are the
best layers, when properly fed aud otherwise
cared for, although geese, turkeys, and Dung
hill fowls often surprise US by their extraordi-
nary fecunditj. What circumstances most in
auenee the production Of eggs in domestic birds.
Newly laid eggs are valuable either for eating
or propagation and how to obtain the maxi
mum yield from given quantity of food is a
point worthy Of investigation. If one desires
to obtain many eggs he should keep young
birds, or rather avoid feeding old ones for that
purpose. Stock fowls should consist of pullets
and hens Of from one year to four, and of no
more cocks than one to every twenty four to
thirty hens. Too many males affect in
juriously the egg.forming process in the sys-
tenn. Like every other function, its physiolog-
cal laws ought to be studied and understood,
excessive pairing, overage, defective nutrition,
extremes Of cold or heat, impure air and water
and disquietude from frequent disturbances,
are the more common causes of barrenness in
this class Of animals. Many are the ingenious
cOntrivanccs that have been resorted to to keep
hens constantly laying, and to cure them of the
natural desire to set or incubate their eggs
During the rage for particular breeds, fertile
eggs OF favorite kinds have been worth dol
lar apiece and OF course the time of the hen
that lays such is too valuable to be wasted in
Matching chickens and nursing them which a
common bird NAV doas we'll. When we'll sup
piled with animal food butchers offal, crack
lings, and the like, Poland hens are so prolific
in eggI as to be denomnated Everlasting lay
erS" Those engaged in rearing extra.fne
stock fowls, boil all refuse meat for their daily
consumption. From such digestible food birds
form either eggs OF flesh with the utmost facil-
ity. Wheat and oats are more congenal ali.
ment than corn, although the latter is far from
being worthless. POultry-houseS and yards
ought to be kept very clean; and all walls and
fences should be lhckly covered with white
wash made Of lime. For walowing in, to kill
lice and other vermin, dry leache d ashes, kept
under shelter, are excellent, and even earth is
better than nothing. Some green food, like
chopped cabbage, potatoes, or carrots. Contri-
butes much to the health Of all poultry in win
ter; variety of food is important and not
less so are pure air and due degree OF warmth.
-Geneses Farmer.