The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1885-03-04
OUR FARM BUDGET.
Poultry IN Large Numbers-Feed-
ing Stock.
Cranberry RaisiDg-Flour From Sorghum
Seed-A Crop Worth Raising-House-
hold and Farm Notes.
Poultry in Large Numbers.

The problem of keeping poaltry in large
numbers, and yet realizing as large profits
as is done from a small stock proportionate-
", has not yet been solved. and any inform
stion in regard to methods practiced by
those who venture in such underta kings is
always acceptable. An English correspond
ent OF the Country Gentleman gives al ac-
count of the oper Itions of Mr.. Thomas
Chick, whose farm is situated four
miles from Dorchester, England, and
which contains 500 acres. 1t is devoted to
s ock, grain and poultry. Mr.. Chick divides
his fowls into [ antilles, and preads them
over his entirefa rn, and walk of three or
four miles is necessary in order to visit all
the families. Nearly every field has its poul-
try-house, and often two. the houses being
placed as far apart SIS possible. No fencing
Is used, the fowls being allowed full liberty.
Cattle are kept IN the same fields. and the
only attention the fowls receive is to be fed
and have their quarters cleaned daily. The
houses are movable, and can be lifted and
carried by two men, handles being provided
Tor that purpose. They stand upon legs,
sbout two feet high, giving shelter below.
The fowls are examined daily TO note II any
are missing or are diseased. Disease how
ever, rarely occurs. as the birds ars not only
well cared for, but have all the advantages
possible for health and comfort.
Only the adult birds are divided on diff
ferent fields. The chickens are Matched al
the residence of the owner or on another
farm, where they are under the special care
OF q competent person. The chickens are
kept until old enough to be put out and
many Of them are sold or killed when quite
young. either for the table or as stock fowls.
The number of eggs sold annually is about
1900 and about 500 chicks are Matched
every season. These numbers are not very
large, but demonstrate what may be d me
on q large farm and yet not interfere with
the raising Of other stock. The cores
pendent states that in giving an account
Of the operations of Nh. Chick his OBJ
ject is to exhibit what he regards
ing on tarms-that of using plankable NOV
able houses out in the field, each capable of
holding 9 score of chicks or q dozen adult
fowls. This can be done very easily on pss-
ture or feeding lands to a very large extent,
for there can be no difficulty in having one
house to every ten acres of land, and even
on wheat or oorn-growing lands ths same
method may be adopted A farm is man
toned where the crops are chiefly corn or
roots, and in the corner Of every poultry
house. Within yard or two of the house
the ground is bare, but that is all and
though the fowls wander in and out among
the grain and roots they do no harm, bat q
very great deal of good, manuring and clean.
ing the earth, as well as finding nearly all
the food they require.
OF course, sucn a system as the above
could not be practiced in those sections of
this country where the snow is foot deep
In winter, for the houses would be too far
apart and the expense of attendance would
be great; yet there is a lesson to be q aimed
by the fact that poultry in large numbers
may be ma lie prof table If divided into fami-
lies and separated. Nor do we consider it
necessary to devote so large a space as ten
acres to one flock, but simply to di vide
them into hocks not exceeding ten in mum.
Der and give them plenty of yard room.
We have known two iocks to be kept in one
yard, without any fence to separate them,
ard each flock respected an imaginary
line over which they never pass ID,
s sis st all times Perf fsfgs p s5519g
farm in New Jersey was successfully oDer-
ated by the Aessrs. Leland, the well-known
caterers, who divided the hocks by blowing
deep furrow around large space, the fur
rows being respected by the 70 Tls as the linn
its beyond which they must not venture.
When fowls are kept at q distance fro meach
other they will net become acquainted, as
the cccks are faithful guardians, and prevent
the hens from strayiDg too far away. II the
space is small fences are necessary, but sew
eTal focEs may be kept without Enclosures,
as is often done on some farms, where one
family remains near the barn aud another
near the house, each individual keeping
within the family to which il belong, a vio-
lation of the rules precipitating warfare.
While the above may be impracticable on
some farms, Mr.. Chicks method may su ggest
ideas TO others. who may improve upon his
plans, ss poultry raising is one of the most
profitable Iu;suits upon the farm.