The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1879-06-05
Profit and Loss In Poultry.

Profit and Loss in Poultry.
POULTRY is source of profit or loss,
just as it is we'll or ill cared for. In
this respect the business of poultry
raisitg does not differ from other kinds
of business. More depends upon the
manager than on the breeds of fowls
selected. There is difference in breeds,
some being more profitable than others
for eggs and market purposes; but all
breeds have their good and bad quail
ties, and all are susceptible of profita-
BILE management. No breed, however,
need be expected to yield profit or salts
faction if not properly cared for.
There are two great mistakes made by
amateur poultry raisers, and by some
professionals. Now and then one may
be guilty of both mistakes, but the great
majority, whether they have many or
few fowls, are guilty of one or the
other. Poultry, especially hens, are
either too closely confined to be healthy
and prolific, or are given q too free
range, expanding their energies in
rambling and making nu:sances of
themselves. In the latter case they
may be healthy, but will not do as we'll
as it kept within reasonable bounds
and made to acquire more domestic
habits. The more they ramble the
wilder they get, and begin to more and
more approximate wild fowls.
Most farmers give too free range
to their poultry, especially in the sum-
mer. They may have miserable
place to roost it. summer and winter,
and from this fact suffer during the
night time unless they get disguised
and show better sense than their own
ers by taking to the apple trees or other
outside places. But in the daytime
they roam fancy free, often making Sc
rious depredations in the garden, hid
ing their nests under the fences and
bushes, and generally making them
selves as happy, mischievous and I'M
profitable as possible. Smothered or
frozen in winter, they consume all their
vital energies in sustaining life; and
roaming, Scratching and foraging at
large in summer, they have but a small
amount of surplus vitality to expend in
eggs. So poultry kept in this way is
not only Improbable, but too often be-
comes nuisance at home and q pest
to the neighbors. We often hear of
the appropriateness of barnyard fowls.
Give the best breeds such treatment as
this for few years and they will be-
come common barnyard fowls. This
is the way to make them. But give
them generous food the year round.
warm and airy quarters, plenty of SUM-
light and ample grounds of their own
to roam in, and they will improve
rather than degenerate, and be a
source of pleasure and profit instead
of loss.
1t is an almost fatal mistake to keep
fowls in too confined quarters. They
must have ample and airy, clean and
sweet quarters to stay in over nj ght
and shelter them from storm. These
conditions are demanded by all kinds
of higher animal life. The fact that
human beings are crowded together in
close, unventilated rooms, affords no
valid reason why animals or fowls
should be uncomfortably crowded. In
the case of the human bipeds, no one
may be interested in the profit to be
derived from them, but, in the case of
the feathered bipeds, the owner is d.
rectly interested. 1t is for the benefit
of his pocket to keep them as healthy
and thriving as possible, that he may
get the largest profit out of them. He
must give them plenty of breathing
room, for nothing is of more impor-
lance than air, and keep them every
way comfortable and satisfied.
All fowls need space to roam and
forage in during the day, in summer
time. Fifty hens ought to have an
acre devoted to their use-certainly
not less than half an acre. And this
space should be adapted to their wants
and peculiarities; have open, sunny
and sheltered places, cozy and shady
hooks, and if it can be stocked with
grasshoppers and other insects so
much the better. If these are not
present, animal food must be supplied,
as we'll as grain. There should be
grass, and other green food may be
cultivated for their stuff in their
grounds, but they allowed to help
themselves. Thus kept and cared for
as they should be, they will not only
yield the most profit, but the most pal
atable and nourishing eggs and flesh.
American DairynsG's.