Rocky Mountain husbandman. [volume] (Diamond City, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1884-03-20
TThe Aoultry gard,
POULTRY RAISING.

1t would be quite difficult to find paper
published within the last few years without
seeing something either practical or theoret-
ical pertaining to this branch of farm econo-
my. Some of the instructions, if followed
out to the letter, might tend to lead the
amateur astray. still it is such failures, prof
tied by, that has done more perhaps to
make successful breeders of any kind of
stock, than all other means combined. 1t
would be extremely difficult in any ordinary
newspaper article to give all the directions
necessary to the successful raising of poul-
try. In beginning the business, think the
matter over we'll before making any outlay
tor stock or fixtures. 1t is very easy mat
ter in experimenting with poultry, as with
any other enterprise, to fool away a good
deal OF money on &c outfits - not needed at
the beginning, such as expensive hen houses,
costly patented appointments, high-priced
premium birds, ETC., all of which are OF little
worth to the novice, until he knows, from
experience, how to turn all these snowy
adjuncts to profit, therefore our advice to
beginners is to consider well what they are
about to embark in. Read some good. re-
liable journal or book, giving theoretical
understanding at least about the beginning
OF the business. 1t is a good business. a
pleasant occupation, an interesting rural
work to engage in, if well followed and
properly appreciated and managed, other
wise not
AS to the best birds to try, this is one of
the hardest questions to answer, but in any
event start with but one variety-the novice
should never attempt to breed more than
one kind. If he insists in trying two or
three kinds, it only goes to show that he
knows two or three times less than he
thinks he does, and at the end of a year or
two he will be disgusted at the business
and some one will have an opportunity to
purchase fowls cheap, and they will have
neither one thing or the other that will
amount TO anything.
Begin with one sort, then, lo matter
what that sort is, so long as that sort suits
the fancy, breed them in their purity, take
good care of both old and young, and you
will be likely, at the end OF the first year, to
know enough about raising poultry to adj
vantage. When you are posted try a second
variety if you choose, and when you are
interested you will be content
with single variety to look after. The
great error with the majority is they at
tempt at the outset to do too much, thus
they pay too dear for the experience.
Again, the question of numbers is an i'm
portant one and depends largely upon the
amount OF space that can be devoted to their
accommodations. Never have more than
from forty to fifty at the most under one
roof, and better less than thirty in one
unless it be a large one; they can
not live and remain healthy when crowded
together in great numbers, the etfluyia from
their bodies generates disease, lice and fe-
vers. Upon limited premises, dozen or
twenty may be kept comfortably, but the
day you crowd fifty to one hundred fowls or
chicks into one house you will find that
they will begin TO tall of in laying, the
birds will get sick, vermin will congregate
in myriads about their roosts, in their nests
and upon their bodies-then farewell to your
peutry-keeping for profits. Too many in
one house, don't attempt it. You will lose
your time, your money, your fowls and
your patience. This is true. They must
De kept la small lots, on any place on the