The Cecil Whig., 1872-12-28
FATTEyiNG fV" A'

-, fowls in E"f 20
The way they 'a'.. .'l,,o. gardener and Will
thus told BY the ,,.,s las as there, substituting
.r,,v as well he''
corn meai 10 ,ass to attempt to fatten them
1t IS Ir.r na are at liberty. They must be
wn"u IN a proper coop; and this like most
a,ber poultry appurtenances, need not be
expensive. To fatten twelve fowls, coop
may be made three feet long, eighteen
inches high, and eighteen inches wide.
made entirely of bars, no part solid-neith-
er top, sides nor bottom. Discretion must
be used as to the size of the chickens put
up. They do not want room; indeed, the
closer they are the better--provided they
all can stand up at the same time. Care
must be taken to put up such as have been
accustomed to be together, or they will
fight. If one is quarrelsome, it is better to
remove it at once, as, like other bad exam
Piles, it soon finds imitators. A diseased
chicken should not be put up.
The food should be ground oats; and
may either be put up in a trough or on a
fiat board running along on he front of
the coop. 1t may be mixed with water or
milk; it should be well soaked, forming
pulp as loose as can be- provided it does
not run off the board. They must be well
fed three or fourtimes day-the frs: time
as soon after day break as may be possible
or convenient, and then at intervals of four
honrs. Every meal should be as much and
no more than they can eat up clean. When
they are done feeding. the board should be
wiped and some gravel may be spread. 1t
causes them to feed and thrive.
After fortnight of this treatment you
will have good fat fowls. If, however,
there are but five or six to be fattened.
| they must not have as much room as
| though they were twelve. Nothing is cas-
ier than to allow them the proper space,
| as it is only necessary to have two or three
pieces Of wood to pass between The bars
and form partition. This may also serve
when fowls are up at different degrees of
fatuess This requires attention, or fowls
will not keep fat and healthy.
As soon as the fowl is sufficiently fatten-
ed it must be killed; other wise. it will
still not get fat, but will lose flesh. If
fowls are intended for market, of course
they may be all fattened at once; but if
for home consumption, it is better to put
them up at such intervals as will suit the
time when they will be required for the
table.
| When the time arrives for killing. wheth-
er they are meant for market or otherwise,
they should be fastened without food or
water for twelve or fifteen hours. This
enables them to be kept for some time af-
ter they are killed, even in hot weather.
The small species of lice that infest the
nests, perches, and other wood work of
poultry buildings, sometimes appear in
great numbers, are called "mites,' or
"henspders. for these whitewash, (lime
wash, made the same as to uhitewash a
dwelling. is efectual. provided it is used
tior0ughlv; that is, if every part and nook
and clanny is well covered. This insect
does not, hahitually live upon the fowls
There is a large species, with bodies large as
the letter SO" in this print, that live upon
the fowls, adhering to the skin upon the
heads of the chickens, and the under pa,t
of the body of adult fowls. This latter
kind is the one which our correspondent
probably means. Sulphur or grease, either
used together or singly, will, if Thoroughly ap-
piled, ,an>werthe purpose. But beng difficult
to apply thoroughly enough to be sure. we
do not recommend them, except the sui
phur for sitting hens, because you can keep
it upon and under them for days.
Poultry World.