The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1875-06-26
:Tht Earat.
The Best Poultry for General Use.

The Best Poultry Tor Genefal use.
In answer to this question, cores
pondent of the POULTRY WORLD says
he has arrived at the conclusion that
the Brahmas, all things considered, are
the best for general purposes, for the
following reasons:
/ have found them the best Winter
LAYERS, if started early in the season;
this is the time of the year when eggs
are in the greatest demand, and the
price then realized is fully double, for
ordinary family consumption. l find
that it costs but little more to keep
them in Winter than in the Summer
season; and for limited premises, where
fowls cannot enjoy good range, the
expense in any portion of the year
varies but slightly.
Good care under all circumstances,
and at all times, is prime necessity to
success in breeding fowls. These larger
birds need no better treatment than do
the smaller varieties At an early age,
the cocks are ready to kill, and they
. average much larger chickens, for mar
ket uses, at time when dead poultry
brings the best price in the cities, than
do small breeds.
As mothers, the Brahma hens cannot
be excelled. The chickens are hardy,
thew make a fine table fowl if properly
fed and strictly cared for from the she'll;
and, when in good condition, in the
early FALL they will dress from ten to
twelve pounds the pair (often heavier),
which is almost twice the dead weight
of average marketable chicks, nova
DAYS of the common varieties. Ihs
extra weight will far more than COM
pensate for the extra cost of good care
and keeping; and the Brahmas may be
limited to narrow confinement, by en-
closure with a four-post high fence,
which is a consideration of consequence
in many locations.
| find it necessary, in order to raise
good average birds, and fit them for the
spit at the most profitable time OF the
year, that my personal attention to their
needs. and constant care OF their health
is requisite. No live stock is worth
the trouble and cost of its keeping that
is not attended to regularity, systemati
callv, and faithfully-whether for mar
keting or for competition. Domestic
fowls will not ''take care of themselves
to advantage The lack of this kind OF
treatment is the leading cause Of failure
with many who undertake to raise
fowls, which must bethus attended to-
at all seasons, to succeed with them
As to feeding, of course corn and meal
must serve as staple food. If buck.
wheat, barley and oats can be purchas
ed at average reasonable prices, these
should be fed, in lieu of too much corn
as these latter grains are not so fatten-
ing, and birds will thrive better with
varied food. Whole wheat is also ex
cellent broken wheat, for chickens, ii
their younger periods.
Sunfower seed, which can be easily
grown in profusion around your fences
and walls, without any trouble, save the
covering of the seed in Spring, is ar
admirable Alternative, and fowls are ex
tremely fond of this l feed it twice g
week, at least, and find it excellent.
give my fowls corn meal and " fine
feed" scalded, in equal proportions, il
the morning. Into their mush l sprin
kle fine salt and red pepper, occasion
ally. At night / give whole grain
Two meals day Gas much as all car
eat up clean), l find better than more
but regularity, every day, is my Gus
tom, and fresh, pure water is always
kept before them, of which domestic
birds drink freely, when they can have
ready access to it.
Fowls in confined quarters should be
supplied with plenty Of green food
daily. Without this they can never be
kept in high health. If their range is
limited, fresh meat, liver, scraps, or the
like, should lie given them daily. They
must have animal food to keep them in
good condition. Iron may be given in
their drinking water, occasionally, to
good advantage; and plenty Of clean
gravel, pounded oyster shells, etc., is
also necessity, where they are kept in
limited runs make it rule to cleanse
the floor of my houses DAILY, in Spring
Summer and Fall, and once a week
sprinkle air-slaked lime upon the ground
Then you always have clean, sweet
house, and are not pestered with vermin.
In Winter l cover my hen house fool
with two inches of fresh loan, or fine
gravel-sand.i Droppings from roosts
ETC., are raked up daily. Every fort
night these floors should be carefully
cleaned out, and fresh sand or loan
spread again.
Twice year, at least, l whitewast
the inside of my houses thoroughly
and in Summer.I close them all tight
once or twice, and smoke them with
burned sulphur also apply kerosene
once or twice month to the roosts
This latter plan will keep your poultry
free from lice. and is the best mode !
know of to effect this object.
Dust baths are highly essential, where
fowls are restricted to limited space, at
any season. The laying hens nests
should be very, thoroughly cleaned out
three or four times during the season.
DITCH COW STARIF..