Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1873-03-06
Raising Poultry.

In reply to a correspondent Henry
Stewart gives the following practical
ideas in the New York Sun about poul-
try. On two acres of land it would be
folly to attempt to keep 1000 fowls with
the expectation that they could be per-
mitted to have any range. If closely
penned up 1000 might be kept on two
acres by the exercise of the utmost
care and by an experienced keeper. But
there would be no accommodation for
Young chicks and the necessary coops
t. shelter them. 1t is possible that 400
hens could be kept on two acres, but not
any more. | have had some experience,
and would rather have at the rate of one
acre to 100 fowls than less; but | have
no doubt that | could succeed with 400
on two acres. The ground should be
enclosed with picket fence, and the
buildings placed on the north side and
facing to the south. The hight of the
fence should be five feet for Brahmas,
and nine feet or more for the more &C
tive fowls. | have found a roosting
house eighteen feet long, twelve feet
wide, and eight feet high at the back,
and twelve at front, with single slop-
ing roof, and built of common boards,
not battened, but with the joints open
quite sufficient accommodation and quite
warm enough for 200 fowls Fresh air
| is of vastly more Importance than
warmth. In a climate much colder than
that of New York, | have never had a
| fowls comb frozen in such house as
this on the coolest nights, when the
temperature has been below zero, and
| strong wind blowing. Too much warmth
| induces diseases catarrh, Group and dys-
EMERY are caused by impure air and
warmth, produced by budding in close
apartment. Artificial warmth is better
than sweating in this manner. A setting
| house, adjoining the rOosting house, and
| of the same size, needs to be provided,
without windows, and with shelf all
around, on which to place the nests,
raised two feet from the ground. An
other shed, adjoining the r0Osting house
at the other end, open in the front,
should be provided for shelter on stormy
DAYS and for the fowls to wallOW in.
Thus three apartments, adjoining each
other in a line, are needed for 200 fowls,
and by additional sets and colonies may
be increased SO long as there is room for
them. have found light Brahmas the
best on the whole. They are good lay
ers, very gentle and tame, and easily
handled, weigh seven or eight pounds
when mature, and are not able to get
over five foot fence-they are hardy.
| hayelspcceededw well with the Dorkings.
but they are more inveterate sitters, and
not so easily broken up as the Brahmas,
and not so heavy at two years Old, not
so prolific layers, and are more tender.
Doubtless the very best fowls for com
mon use to commence with are good
young native hens, supplied with the
Brahma and Dorlling cocks each year
alternately. But there is a great variety
of opinion in this respect, and beginner;
should experiment until suited. 1t is
entirely safe to say to beginners, com.
mence to go into this business gradually.
and learn as you go along, and as sue.
cess comes increase as may be desirable.
A new beginner will inevitably fail if he
commences on larger scale than will
with fifty to one hundred fowls.-Nea
York Sun.