The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1881-02-24
Poultry in a Limited Space.


Stock Journal writes:
In limited space failure would be
sure, to attempt to raise chickens or to
produce eggs in quantities therefore,
1 would say that with q limited space
at command, the only way to leave a
balance on the right side, at the end of
a season, is to make q good selection
from the several kinds amongst US
termed fancy poultry" and keep only
a few. l then say emphatically, that
with little judgment and ordinary at
tention, poultry may be made to pay
most handsomely, let the space at ones
disposal be ever so small.
As to the kind to be selected by the
town or suburban amateur, from ex-
perience 1 most unhesitatingly pro
nounce in favor of Golden Polish.
This variety is exceedingly handsome
in appearance, really Everlasting"
layer, often averaging 1913 eggs per
season, and is perfectly happy and con-
tented in marvelously small space; so
little, indeed, that I have heard an
eminent and successful breeder of them
say that "he could keep a Poland in a
barrel, and win with him."
My own space consists of yard
about eighty feet square, bounded on
two sides by wire fronted pens at right
angles to each other; double roosting
house being placed at the junction Of
the angles. A small pleasantly and a
chicken run occupy the other two sides
of the yard. Each pen is covered with
flexible roofing, tarred in the usual
way.
The runs, like many more I know,
were originally flower borders; each
measures fourteen feet by four feet,
and is divided into nine feet six inches
for the runs, and four feet six inches
for the house--little enough in all con-
science. Each run has small "second
floor" about four feet from the ground
containing day and night compart-
ment, and used as pens for getting the
birds. intended for show, into condi-
ton; useful also as "sick wards
The runs are dug up each week to
the depth of eight or ten inches, and
once year, the mould being valuable
for potting purposes, is gladly ex-
changed for fresh by the nearest nur-
sery man.
About eighteen inches below the
perches wooden shelves are fixed to
catch the droppings of the birds, which
are prevented from adhering to. the
boards by lime just busted over each
morning when they are cleared. I'm
derneath the shelves are arranged the
nests.
Each pen contains cock and three
hens; and that they can be bred, reared
to maturity, and be made winners of
prizes in such pens as have described,
I shall be only too happy to show to
any one caring to come and see for him
self.
My feeding consists of bran and
shorts one part, mixed with three parts
of ground oats, and made, with boiling
water. into the "crumbly" mass SO often
urged upon us by the editor of some
journal. This is given in the morning,
warm at midday few scraps from
the kitchen, and at night moderate
portion of either wheat, barley OF. buck
wheat, changed each week; green food
of some kind, never of course, being
absent from the daily bill of fare.
As Polish are non-sitters, just in the
spring 1 keep two or three common
hens for Matching out the chickens, but
as soon as they are day or two old
they are transferred to a home made
artificial mother, placed in their run,
and they, like their parents cover the
way" are happy, thrive and do admir-
ably.