The Red Cloud chief., 1884-03-14
Poultry Farming.

The consumption Of eggs and poultry
Increases with civilization. As cities
multiply and become populous the de-
mand for these articles Of food becomes
very great. Almost every country in
Europe contributes to the supply of
London and Paris. During the past
few years millions of eggs have been
imported into New York and other
Eastern cities. A large proportion of
them have come from Canada, but the
Importation of eggs from the countries
of Northern Europe is steadily increas-
ing. The price of poultry and eggs in
creases much faster than that of al
most any article produced on farms.
There is no better country in the world
for producing poultry and eggs than
the United States. The climate is very
favorable. The water is generally ex-
cellent. Materials for shelters are
cheap. The facilities for transporta-
ton arsslmOst as good as coulS be de-
sired ne natural vegetable produc-
tions required for food are abundant.
They include grass, clover, wild fruits.
the seeds of numerous plants, and
some small nuts. As a grain-produc-
ing country it has no superior. 1t is
somewhat strange, under these circum-
stances. that we should import eggs
or that they should be at a high price.
Still, during tae present winter, large
quantities of foreign eggs have been
consumed in Eastern cities, while in
Western towns q dozen of eggs has
brought more money than q bushel Of
potatoes or oats. Many farmers, who
keep few or no hens. have spent con-
siderable time in denouncing foreign
governments for excluding our pork
products. They could have employed
their leisure to better advantage in con-
~structing poultry-houses and in getting
ready to help supply the home market
with eggs. There is apparently nc
danger of overstocking the market
with eggs.
Many failures have been reported Of
the attempts to raise poultry on q large
scale in this country and in England.
As a rule the experiments have been
very badly conducted. Attempts have
been made to keep several hundred
fowls in one building, and to supply
them with food bought in the market.
During the past few years reports of
the success of several poultry farms
have been published Persons have sue
ceeded in Keeping thousand hens, and
in keeping them healthy. Their sue
cess has been mainly due to keeping
but a small number of hens in one build
ing and allowing them a wide range.
One farmer in England tried the expert
ment of keeping ten hens on each acre
of land he occupied, and which was
devoted TO grazing purposes.
He found that by %enriching the ground
with the drOppingS of the fowls it would
carry more stock than before, and he
was able to derive two incomes from the
same land. The fowls were sheltered
at night and during storms m small
houses that where supplied with wheels
30 that they could be easily moved. His
practice was to move each house the
distance of a rod each day. By that
means he brought them to fresh grass
and prevented the accumulation of
By moving the chicken
houses but a short distance the fowls
returned to them as readily as if they
had remained continuously in the same
place. Ample provision was male for
water as well as for ventila-
ton. The food, aside from the fresh
was mostly obtained in the
market, and was largely produced in
this country. In add ton to 81 ain and
vegetables the hens were supplied with
scraps of meat and cheap fish. The
eggs were sem to market every day, and
as they could be warranted as '.strictly |
they commanded a high price.
The male chickens were sold as brOilers
soon as they were of a size for the
yridiron.
There are now some very successful
poultry-farms in New York and several
Of the New England States. The own.
ers have an advantage in being near
city markets. but they labor under the
OF dearer food and more
land. The West is evidently the
best location for pOultry-farming. as it
IS for grain and meat production. The
production of poultry and eggs al be
combined with s~tock-raising and grain.
growing. The fowls can be kept in
small houses in pastures while the grain
8 growing. and after it is cut they may
be removed to the grain-fields. where
hey will pick up what is scattered on
he ground. Many kinds of food that
ire very valuable to fowls are easily
Among them are sunflower
iced, buckwheat, and sorghum seed. A
LIBERAL amount of vegetables should al
o be provided. Cabbages, onions,
;ress and roots, should be raised for
during the winter. There is no
for ornamental or expensive
buildings for fowls. They should have
! tight roof and be we'll lighted and
The floor may be of clay OF
common earth. 1t should be higher
han the surrounding ground SO that
may be insured. If kept GOV
red with dry sand it will he clean and
he droppings a be readily removed.
They are as valuable for fertilizing as
.uano. Fowls kept in the manner sug.
rested will require close attention, but
his is called for in any department Of
lusbandry. The care of poultry may
,e intrusted to persons who a not do
lard work in the field. There is very
title hard labor connected with feed.
ng fowls. raising chickens. or collect
ng Chicago Times.
A Narrow Escape.