Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1880-11-18
WEEKLY CHRONICLE.
The Poultry Yard.

focks and weed them thoroughly, al
lowing no poor. weak misshsped bird
to 60 into the winter. All such
should be separated from the main
flock and prepared for market. Sort
closely, and have the apartments
thoroughly renovated cleansed and
furnished, all ready, so that the fowls
when they can not roam abroad TO
advantage, may be confined therein
at night, and on cold and stormy
days. Some birds suffer more than
others during cold autumn and winter
storms, and among these may be
reckoned the Houdans. They are
not so sensitive to cold as to wet or
damp weather, and while they are
profitable, and much to be desired,
they require little extra care in
this respect. One kind of treatment
will not answer for all kinds or
breeds. The Houdans should be
kept entirely separate from other
fowls. Their heavy crests and pecul-
lar muff1ing about the throat and eyes
render it difficult for them to see
objects except in front. Although
not pugnacious birds, still they
generally rule in the yards with other
smaller, or more indolent breeds, and
it is better to keep them by them
selves. They are large, handsome
and exceedingly ornamental, when
we'll bred. They lay large, fine
white eggs, are good for table use,
and may be recommended as first
class breed. When the ground is
not covered with snow, they may be
allowed to go out in cold weather, as
they do not suffer from frost like the
combed varieties.
Sort this breed closely, and reserve
only the very finest for breeding pur-
poses, disposing of the remainder,
which is generally the larger portion.
The pullets should be confined by
themselves, and forced into laying as
early as possibly, while the breeding
birds come along into reproduction
in the natural course of time, which
will be early enough if early Matched.
In selecting Black Spanish for
breeding the comb and wattles,
which are important, should be mar
rowly examined, and only birds hav-
ing these up to the standard should
be chosen. The plumage and all
other points should be attended to.
Breeding birds should possess size,
without coarseness; have round, even
limbs, and well-proportioned bodies.
Avoid chunky, short-bodied fowl (;
neither select large, angular bird
for the sake of size. A fine-limbed
well-proportioned fowl is deceptive,
frequently weighing more than ex-
pected. In the selection of hens,
choose rather those with long, deep,
roomy bodies, with short legs and
small heads. 1 have observed that
they are better layers. With Leg
horns care must be exercised during
winter, that their combs, which are SO
ornamental, they do not become in-
jured by frost. The combed varieties
are among the greatest of late winter
and early spring layers. Now is the
season to care for the pullets and
young hens; to house, feed, water
and keep comfortable, that they may
by degrees become accustomed to the
cold as it approaches. The first cold
snap sharpens the appetite, which, if
met with wholesome food, brings the
fowl along up to maturity, after
which it yields profit to the keeper.
The houses should be in readiness
for occupation; and floors should be
sprinkled with air>slaked lime, and q
barrel kept for frequent use barrel
of clam shells, to be broken as needed,
neat boxes prepared, and roosts ar
ranged, that the droppings may be
readily removed without a general
disturbance of the fowls. G. B.