The Richmond Indiana palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1854-1855, 1855-10-11
Notes ON Poultry Management.


Fowl fanciers seem to lay great stress on
the different breeds Of fowls as to the quality
of their eggs as food Now whatever differ
snee there may be in this respect, sat
is6ed that no epicure could tell the difference
by taste. If it at all, it must be done by q
chemical examination, which IS Of no conse-
quencs whatever to the epicure. Some fowls
may lay larger eggs than others, and little
may be galeed in this way. Fer food during
the winter Season, fine cut cabbage is good
SO are boiled potatoes mashed and mixed with
meal. In severe cold weather, a corn meal
''hasty pudding" fed warm is good to make
hens lay; also when the ground is covered
with snow, pounded oyster shells should Do
kept by them. Some animal food. as raw
meat or boiled meat, in the winter time, will
be we'll for them but in those seasons when
they have range, they can supply themselves
by insects.
As 10 the size of poultry yard, the best
one we have yet seen is "all outdoors" or in
other words, to go where they please; yet as
this rule in general, can only apply to farmers
and landholders, other breeders will be oblIg
ed TO keep them in yards more or less. For
two or three dozen fowls. a yard should be An
acre in extent if possible, and if two or three
acres can be bad it will be all the better
An old beshel basket with straw put in
the bottom, makes good nest for sitting
hens, as the air will draw through the basket
and keep the eggs at even temperature
We have lost many broods by setting the hens
in the side of a hay NOV. as the heat OF the
hay is such that it will cause the yolk to ad
here to the young chicks so that they will die
in the shell. But in hot weather We have had
As good luck in Matching where the hens set
directly On the ground. with little straw for
81. IL
even heat, so that where a hen steals her
nest and sits in the grass they will generally
do well When the young chicks come out.
a few crubs of bread for few days is all
they want. Alter that. coarse ground Indian
corn, as hominy samF. rs the best food we
have used for young chickens.
To sum up. for the value OF the different
breeds Of fowls we will put the large Asatic
breeds all in enc list. As to the LAYING of
these fowls, it IS claimed by some breeders
that they will lay more eggs IN a year than
the other varieties. This may be so, but then
We should want more proof Of it than we have
vet SEEM and then it is claimed that they are
full as good for the table the smaller varie
ties. This we cannot believe. when placed
by the side Of the Dorkings or of the com
mon yard fowls. One thing may be in their
favor, they will not scratch" for living any
more IMAM turkeys Will, SO tn1t Tor tIosc W no
have gardens that not well protected, these
fowls may be an advantag over the others.
As for the Dorkings, the Spanish. Golden
Hamburgs. Bolton Greys. Poland Top knots.
Games. Seabright Banams. dc, they are all
fine fowls. and we presume good layers
Each and all Of these varieties will have their
favorites. Some will prefer one variety, and
many will try the various birds The non -sitters.
will lay more eggs in assessor than the sitters
1t is well to have both kinds, like the Dorking
and Spanish. The Dorkings are good breed
ers and nurses: the Spanish are poor at that,
and they can be kept laying, bringing out the
broods under the Dorking hens. Formerly.
when we kept variety Of yard fowls. such
a. brown, speck killed., fawn -colored, white. DC,
of the ordinary fowls, we used to have a
large number of eggs from them every season
OF course we kept them well. and they paid
us well for such keeping. But if you are go
ing to make money at the business, according
to the fancier's notion. then you must have
the varieties that win sell at from SO. to $50
the pair, and eggs in proportion.
In poultry yard it is well to have as many
domestic fowls as you can keep. few Pea
fowls, or ''Pescocks." and Guinea hens,
for variety. are well. l.. DuRAND. Der
by, CT