Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1876-08-04
Which is the Most Profitable Breed Of
Hens TO Keep7

/
This seems to be a difficult problem t
solve. After ton years experience, with I
number Of different breeds and an almos
endless variety Of crosses, l have come L
the conclusion that there is more in tn,
proper management than in the breed. Fol
five or six years, the Brahmas were nv frs,
choice; but | have finally decided that some
OF the smaller breeds-ls for instance the
"Leghorn," "Houdans," or "Polands"-will
pay best.
A hen weighing three or four pounds can
lay one egg in day, while hen weighing
twelve pounds can do no more. The amount Of
feed required to grow one chicken to twelve
pounds should raise two or three smaller
ones. Whom full grown the difference ia
food is less but there is still a difference.
A laying hen will lay her weight in eggs
in very short time, and requires food ac-
cordingly. A miller cannot run his mill
without grain, neither can a hen, part
which some people seem to overlook.
When person is sufficiently interested in
the poultry business to pay oxtravagant
prices for eggs of-to him at least-new
breeds, he is very likely to give them extra
care and attention--at least while they are
new thing-and the result is good mar.
gin Of profit, for hens will pay every time
If well taken care Of and the profit corres-
ponds with the care taken.
Pleased at the result, the next step he
will probably send an article to the papers
saying that the "Brahmas," "Lcghorns, "
"Houdans," or whatever the variety may be,
are, all things considered, the most profit.
able to keep, little thinking that the hens
rejected would probably have given as good
results under the same improved manage.
ment.
L have kept Bolton Grays, Polands,
Dorkings, Black Spanish, Light and Dark
Brahmas, Buff aud Partridge Cochins, Dom
iniques and White Leghorns. Each and all
have their strong points, also their demerts.
One breed are good layers but unfit for
the table, another takes on flesh rapidly but
lay sparingly. One kind will allow you to
almost step on them aud another are as
wild as hawks. One bears confinement
well, others not at all. And 50 it goes. |
have not yet found the breed that is perfect
in all respects.
1t is perfectly proper for persons to have
their pet kinds, but overstraned statements
and fixed up figures to sustain their choice
should be avoided.
My average number Of hens has been
about one hundred, and 1 have kept an ex.
act account Of all moneys received or ex-
pended, and am not obliged to depend upon
wsat my neighbors say or to guess at re.
suits, for the figures are before me. Feed
raised has been put down as feed bought.
Eggs aud poultry used in the family have
been reckoned as sold
Now it is not my intention to infict all
these figures upon the Rural readers, suffice
1t to say that after allowing for all mishaps
aud losses-that have been considerable
and for all mistakes-which have been
net cash profit figures up to some-
thing over Line hundred dollars for ten years.
To be sure this is not as good a showing as
we often read about, but is very satisfactory
The manure made is also worth consider
ing. Then the service the hens have done
by destroying worms, bugs, insects, etc., is
beyond estimate, as is also the great pleas.
ure in taking care of them, aud the salts.
faction of testing different breeds On the
whole | am well pleased with oultry keep
Ritter IN tie Fancier'S Jour
nal