The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1874-02-06
fatNlers' Column.
" Speed the PiO,C.''


The London Field has the following
suggestions, that, with some modification,
will be applicable to our own poultry
keepers:
How many farmers might obtain plenty of
new accommodations for poultry by simply
making use of the buildings they already
possess, and how many farmers consider
fowls unworthy of consideration, because
OF some supposed difficulty or expense
in erecting suitable houses.
And worse than this, how many farmers
try to make poultry pay without any re-
suit beyond continual vexations, merely
from lack of ingenuity in bringing ordi-
nary appliances into play. "Why bother"
they ask, "about raising chickens in cow
sheds and out-buildings, when you can set
out as many coops as you like on the grass
OF paddock, the gravel of stable ward.
or upon the scattered rick yard straw BE.
cause, generally speaking, halfyour chick.
ems die under the common farm-yard
treatment. They get wet feet and die of
cramp; they drink the high-colored soak
water Of manure heaps of straw-vard
drains and other filthy Stops, and conse-
quently sicken and die by dozens.
We have q troop of adult breedino
fowls loose in the fanny ard thew nick
up large part of their living there. But
they do not thrive so well and keen so
healthy as other troops of breeding stock
which we have stationed at houses pur.
posely erected in grass fields far from the
homestead. For very small sum you
may erect q square board house, tar,ed
outside, lime-washed inside, and covered
with asphalted felt. Each of the fyur
sides is in separate piece, the roof Off of
a gable form) in two pieces, all knocked
together at the corners with staples and
pins So house, say six feet or seven
feet cubic, can be popped into a cart, and
temporarily set up in pasture, or on o
stubble, or wherever there may be good
picking for the fowls. A couple of perch
es, few nests and drinking pan for the
furniture, while the ground covered in by
the house Qor there is no wooden floor) is
spread over with loose earth, ashes and
mortar. Such is the home of one cock
eight or ten hens and pullets during the
breeding season, or the home of double
this number of half grown chickens. The
house should be placed against hedge,
or in corner where two hedges meet, 30
that a few poles or posts protect 1T against
cattle.
There can be no good reason against
grazing fowl as well as other "animals,"
and the farmer who tries it for the first
time will be surprised at the amount of
GRUB" Qiterally perhaps) which the ac-
tive scratchers and pickers will find in
grass field, in and under the droppings Of
sheep and cattle, among hedge posts, upon
ch-sides, and So on; only a small
amount of grain being necessary twice
day. We wish that many farmers would
take our advice-procure what hardy
sort you most fancy, Cochin or Brahms,1
that endure close quarters; game that are
strong old English birds, Dorkings that
like dry chalk and gravel countries; or,
ifyou are in low or wet neighborhood.
on tenacious soil, put Cochin cock
to Dorking females (no cross breeds al
lowed for parents, mind, but get good
blood and pure breeds,) and you will have
hardihood in your chicks, as well as weight
and quality in your couples for market.