Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1881-06-03
AGRICULTURAL.
MANAGEMENT OF MARKET CHICKENS.

Early chickens are always the best for
any purpose but there is such thing as
having them too early, unless q suitable
warm place be provided. Even when
this is the case, chickens do not thrive as
well. They require fresh earth and warm
sun. March chickens are frequently as
protitless as October ones. In raising
chickens, quick growths are to be de-
sired, especially in the start. The best
food and care should be expended during
the first seven weeks. Not that 1t Is al
visable at time to neglect, but some re-
| taxation of care does less damage after
this age. The question is frequently
asked whether it pays to raise chickens.
| The answer may safely be in the affirma-
tive. As general thing eggs pay ts.ter,
| but chickens must be raised before eggs
can be had, and to make profitable
thing of eggs the hens must be raised
rather than purchased. Market chickens
are very profitable when rightly managed,
but they must be early in order that good
prices may be obtained. The farmer can
make chicken meat rs cheaply rs beef or
mutton.
The distance from market is q consid-
Grafton. If SO far away that the freight
eats up the whole, it ID better to devote
the attention to some other branch OF
poultry-raising. The markets of New
York and Boston rule high for broilers in
May and June, and close proximity to
these cities is to be desired, i'll order to
make early chicken raising pay hand
somely. When early broilers, that will
weigh two pounds each, will command
two dollars per pair in the first OF the
season, and seventy-five and fifty cents
each later on-say in June or July-it
pays the raiser for the extra trouble re-
qnired in the early season. July and
August chickens, or rather those that are
fit for market at that time, bring good
prices at fashionable hotels and watering
places. Fresh eggs are also in great de-
mand. Poultry raising, to be profitable,
should not be far distant from markets.
Early chickens should be out certainly by
the first of April and then be kept III
dry, warm situation. The light Brahmas
are well adapted for this business. They
are hardy, easily reared, make rapid
growth, and have size in their favor.
There are two varieties of this breed-the
very large and the medium sizes. The
latter birds are to be preferred. They
are lighter, and from that fact arc better
for sitters the chicks havo less bone,
and come to maturity earlier.
For market chickens, fowls should not
be too closely bred The chicks are more
difficult to rear, and are never quite 80
large as cross. A Leghorn cock crossed
on Brahma hen makes good market
bird. When the chickens are once hatch
ed, force growth with regular food, and
give plenty of run when the weather il
suitable, in warm, sheltered position.
These early chicks will get out of the
way of the second lot, which should
come after the last week in April, or IN
May they then require less care, and
may he turned off i'll II measure. Where
the business is carried on for profit, and
one persons attention is devoted to it, 1t
is good plan to have a succession OF
matches arranged, so that they may come
off at regular intervals of two or three
weeks, from April to the 18th of June.
Later than this it is not well to set many
eggs the best of the season is gone, and
the late birds have barely time to make
their growths and prepare for cold wealth
er. A flock of 10 or 80 chicks, where
every convenience is at hand, may be
easily raised with care; and if every
hatch contained this number, the employ
ment of the attendant would be well paid.
The early broods should be out Of the
way by July, at the farthest, and the
others would soon follow, 30 that in rota-
ton all would be gone before cold wealth
er set in. No more fowls should be car
ried into the winter than are required for
.'essGs and the next springs trade.