The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1879-02-13
Poultry ON the Farm.


Perhaps there is no kind of stock 80
and forced to take care Of itself,
BY the majority of our farmers, as is poul.
Try. II seems TO be the general idea of
most of,our farmers that fowls are obligrd |
10 lay about SO many eggs, and produce
about SO many chicks, let the care they
receive be what it may. This is q very
mistaken idea, as can easely be ascertained
by a little observation. For instance, let
any man keep two separate focks of fowls
and let him take good care of one OF them,
and let the other take care of itself, and
be will soon find to his surprise the profit
that follows care. We venture to say there
is no kind ofstock kept that will pay 80
large per cent on the investment as will
poultsy, if properly managed, and we pro-
pose in this to treat mainly on the care
flock ofpoultry should receive in order to
make it PORTABLE and the business a pleas.
ure.
SELECTION OF STOCK.
The first, and one of the most import
ant points, is the selection of stock you are
to begin with. It is fixed fact, and q
fact that has been we'll demonstrated, that
there is no stock so productive as our thor.
oughbred. Some may ask why thorough
bred areany better than the common fowls
Of centuries ago. It is answered, because
they have been bred in accordance with a
system, and with the object in view of pro.
ducinR qualities of great excellence. II is
no trouble to convince q farmer that the
Norman horse in better than the Mustang,
or that the sleek Short horn is superior to
the lean Texan steer, and what il true Of
these and other stock 10 also true OF poul.
try; hence, 10 begin with, get good stock
of some variety that suits your fancy, and
remember your fancy in this matter will
have great deal to do with the success
OF failure Of the business.
| THE PLACE TO KEEP THEM.
In the second place, provide suisabl,
place for your fowls to live in. This may
if necessary. be COTTON up on very cheaI
plan, but the location of the building is q.
important matter. II should be on . dr.,
piece ofground. Your building should b
in size to correspond with the number o
fowls you intend to have, but in no cas-
allow more than fifty in one building.
more than that is raised divide them u
into families, and construct other building
These buildings! should face either cas-
or south, with the front partially slazed, Q,
as to admit as much light as possible il
cold and stormy days. when the fowls ca,
not be allowed to run ont. Anothe, i'm
portant item Is ventilation A peultr,
house shoudu be ventilated st the top sui
fciently to allow the foul air to escape
Perches for the large varieties should b
four or six inches wide, and not more thai
fourteen inches from the floor. Good dr..
earth makes the best floor.
CLEANLINESS.
"Cleanliness Gan old and true saying) i
next to Godliness," and cleanliness is ais
, important in the care ofpoulsry. II 20
intend for your fowls 70 remain health
, and productive you must keep their apar
ments clean. This should not be an ar
nual task, but should be done as often {
once week. Also keep sharp looko,
! for vermin Qice); these are sure visitors
} neglected poultry yard, andwill, at time
, make their appearance among the best an
, cleanliest. A good preventive is 70! pr
pare some convenient place for the fow
9 to dust themselves, and put in this dust
8 little slaked lime and some flower of su
( phur; this lice will not relish very We
and frequent doses of il will have tender
Q cy to rid the fowls of them altogether.
4 dust bath, to have il just right, should
built something on the plan Of small be
3 bed-a frame built facing the south wi
8 glazed roof OF covering.
J. FOOD.
i Food is another important item; al
= among farmers but little is thought Of:
& Their fowls are allowed free access to 1
If corn crib, and what feed they get they be
10 themselves to. Now q much better W
J" is to feed them, and keep them away fre
d your corn cribs, for corn AZ steady die,
j. very unhealthy. Food for poultry shou
,. be varied. The wants of the fowls shou
1t be studied, and they should fed accordir
ly. For cool morning, cooked food of t
IN wheat bran and one part corn meal, ls
" soned about az you would wish your o
% food with salt and pepper, is disiral
q. diet. Cooked oats, Oh rather boiled oats
N splendid for q change. and at noon whs
R oats or buckwheat. For evening VIII
corn is good, and add occasionally gre
}. food, such aS cabbage. turnips and scr,
from the table. The profits Of . poul
yard will be in accordance with the G.
~ the fowls receive.
Ss Plenty Of fresh water is also essential
n poultry yard. Milk, either sweet
u sour, is good for them. and will pay
~ ~ better to poultry than to hogs.
he Now to make the foregoing more
pressive, we will recapisulate: Good sto
's good, we'll ventilated buildings, clea,
=: ~ ness, Misunderstanding, plenty Of fresh
ter. The man who carries out these C,
at ditions will always succeed.
ce
as How They Act.
at
The following from the Warrensbp
Mo-, Press, shows the manner in VIII
ID the Members of the National Greenb