Delaware gazette and state journal., 1884-05-15
AGRICULTURAL MATTERS.
m.naxinx Poultry for Profit.


There ID greater interest manifested In
poultry than may be supposed, for not
only is the farmer and fancier willing to
devote space TO the management OF fowls,
bat those who reside in the suburbs OF
oities secure pleasure and profit by giving
them careful attention. How much profit
nsy be expected from an ordinary flock
may be- shown by giving the experience
OF Mr.. Henry Stewart, written to the
Rural Nep Yorker, in which he gives his
account with his fowls from January lat
to December 3lst, 1883. The breed WAS
Light Brshma, and the flock contained
20 hens. Although the profit derived
was large, being ~ so average, the
product is really low, being only s4 eggs
for each hen. Only IA hens having
brooded, but 1872 eggs were set, from
which 123 chicks were hstched, the loss
being only one chick. The expenses for
feed during the year were s4l.l5, while
the receipts were $197 rs, divided as
follows Eggs sold Il 6sS), $39, IS; eggs
for setting (65) sold, "a; nine chickens
sold, IS 10; two trios sold, $40; IL
oockerels sold (l05 pounds at is cents
per pound), $ls 80; 3s oockerels sold
(251 poands at is oents), GAL IS; eight
pullets sold at $2 SO each, 800; Is pullets
sold (9l pounds at 20 oents per pound),
SIS 20; value Of stock on hand tthree
cocks and 26 pullets, making ITO pounds,
at 20 cents per pound), s34; leaving 3
balance of $156.76, or a profit OF 81 SO for
each hen. Deducting that which was
received extra for the eggs sold for sit
ting purposes, and from the Ia fowls sold
for breeding, it still leaves profit Of "
from each hen.
The fowls are kept in yard 50xl5l
feet, or about one-sixth OF an acre, bu'
have the run of COW yard adjoining
They have q comfortable house 30 fee
long, 10 feet wide, 81 feet high at thu
rear and feet high in front. The foo
is Of earth. The house faces the south
has two large windows, and Is psrtitione'
off with laths. Once week it is cleaned
and then we'll busted with lime TIL
nests are boxes Is inches long and
inches wide, open at the front, with
narrow bar to prevent the eggs from roll
ing out. These boxes are made of two
inch strips, with one inch space, an
when hen sits she is lifted (with tn
box) and removed to an apartment rt
served for sitting hens. The fowls al
allowed to run on grassy lawn, OF
acre, each afternoon, which they enjoy
They do great deal OF scratching, an
do not desire much grain at such time
Coal sshes they have pleptitully, and al
very fond Of fresh bones from II
butcher, which are broken up for the
on stone with hammer.
When the chicks are Matched tV
broeds are put together and given to
hen in a roomy coop which is put in Il
garden. They are fed thick iryi;
mush made of corn and bran, equal part
ground together, and also coarse crack
corn, wheat, and some meat scraps, al
this ia also the main feeding of the hen
Clean water is given in wire'cover
troughs. When the yard in which !
fowls are kept becomes foul it is spad
up and wheat scattered over it. I
yard contains plum trees, which also 81
q profit. The manure was given no pls
In the receipts, although 1t possesses
marketable value.
i'If this can be done in a year with
hens" says Mr.. Stewart, "why canno
be done every year with ten times
number, for have done nearly as W
with 509" He thinks so acres {
buppuIt l3VoV uoiin PiohthoAy 49, ~ "
as the small space supported 20, snS
each flock will only pay halt as much
did the 20 hens the yield will be equa
that from so COWS. The indispensa
requisites in managing are dry, ol'
house, clean yards, freedom from verr
and moderate feeding. 1t will be s
that the principal profit was from
chickens sold, and had there been u
eggs aud fewer chickens the profit wo
have been less. quart of grain
enough for ten fowls, and of the bre
the Plymouth Rocks rank second to
Brahmas. Some of the earliest cooke
weighed IL pounds, which is nearl,
each at is cents per pound. The pou
business can be carried on well with I
growing, and the whole ground ca
occupied with profit if the man or woi
ia the right kind to manage.