The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1873-01-25
Raising Poultry.

In reply to correspondent, Henry
Stewart gives the following practical ideas
about poultry ;-0n two acres Of land it
would be folly to attempt TO keep 1000
fowls with the expectation that they could
be permitted to have any range. Ifcloscly
penned up / 900 fowls might be kept on
two acres BY the exercise of the utmost care
and BY an experienced keeper, Butthere
would be no accommodation for young
chicks and the necessary coops to shelter
them. Il is possible that 400 hens could
be kept on two acres, but not any more. l
have had some experience, and would IA
Their have at the rate of one acre to 100
fowls than less but | have no doubt TINT
could succeed with 400 on two acres.
The ground should be enclosed with a pick
ct fence, and the buildings placed on the
north side and facing to the south. The
height Of the fence should be Eve feet for
Brahmas, and nine feet or more for the
more active fowls. have found roost-
ing house eighteen feet long, twelve feet
wide, and eight high at the back, and
twelve at front, with a single sloping roof,
and built Of common boards, not batteued,
but with the joints open, quite sufficient
accommodation and quite warm enough for
200 fowls Fresh air is ofvastly more inn
portance than warmth. In climate much
colder than that Of New York, have new
er had fowls comb frozen in such a house
as this on the coolest nights, when the tenn
perature has been below zero, and strong
wind blowing Too much warmth induces
disease; catarrh, roap and dysentery are
caused by impure air and warmth, pro-
duced by huddling in close apartment.
Artificial warmth is better than sweating
in this manner. A setting house, adjoin-
ing the roosting house, and Of the same
size, needs to be provided, without windows,
and with a shelf all round, en- which is
placed the nests, raised two feet from the
ground. Another shed, adjoining the
westinghouse at the other end, open in
the front, should be provided for shelter on
stormy days, and for the fowls to wallow
in. Thus these three apartments adjoining
each other in line arc needed for POO
fowls, and by adding additional sets the
colonies may be increased as long as there
is room for them. Ihaye found light Brah.
mas the best on the whole They are good
layers, very gentle and tame, an deasily
handled, weigh seven or eight pounds when
matured, and are not able to get over five
foot fence-they are hardy | have sue.
ceeded well with Dorkings, but they are
more inveterate settlers, and not so easily
broken up as Brahmas, are not so heavy al
two years old, not so prolific layers, and
are more tender. Doubtless the very besl
fowls for common use to commence with
are good young native hens, supplied with
Brahma and Dorking cocks, each year, al
ternately. But there is a great variety Of
opinion in this respect, and beginner.
should experiment till suited. 1t is entire
ly safe to say to beginners, commence t
get into this business gradually, and learr
as you go along, and as success comes, in
crease as may be desirable. A new begin
ner will inevitably fail if he commences OF
a larger scale than with fifty to one hun
bred fowls.