The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1885-12-25
POULTRY FOR PROFIT AND PLEAS
URE,
PAPER READ BY NJ. T.. LUTZ AT THE
MEETING OF THE STATE BOARD
OF AGRICULTURE AT
BLooMsBURG ON
WEDNESDAY
DEC. 2.
1885.


1885.
Nobody knows when or by whom
fowls were first domesticated. There
are at most only two or three illusions
to them in the Old Testament and these
are of doubtful import. However
in the time of Aristotle who wrote
$50 years before Christ, they were
evidently common for he speaks of
them as Familiarity as naturlist of the
present day. The wild origin of our
domestic fowl is entirely unknown.
The race is probably extinct. The
domestic turkey is not so far removed
from the wild state as the domestic
chicken. There is no dispute about
his origin, the wild turkey not being
yet extinct and not differing so widely
from the tenants of our barn yards as
to give room for doubt on that point.
In fact If kept in the neighborhood of
large forests they will often stroll
tbither without any desire 10 return,
sucl. is the natural wilduess of their
species. The dom 4stic goose has ac-
knowledged the sway of man for ages,
perhaps since the days of Noah.
Homer mentions them where Pene-
lope relating her dream says, 81 have
twenty geese at home that eat wheat
out of water, aud am delighted with
them Their cackling it will be rem EN-
bered saved Rome from the Gauls 3SS
years before Christ Their wild origin
Is unknown, the wild geese of the pres
ent day being of a different species,
The origin Of the tame duck is not a
we'll settled point. Dixon supposes it
to have been imported to England
from India and China in or about the
year l493.
We can hardly suppose tina. man
has cared for poultry for over 2OO0
years and yet not be fully satisfied
that they aro either profit or pleas
ure. Yet this question is so often ask
ed and by so many different kinds of
people that to answer it intelligen tly
requires some explanation. AS facts
are abundant need not offer theories
Some people condemn theories in toto
and when anyone is bold enough to
advance new one they 60 for him
with a vim which nearly frightens him
ont or his wits and theories alike.
What great mistake to thus con-
demn theory for it is one of the best
things when properly used which the
Creator has endowed us with. What
is successful practice but theory prsc-
tically demonstrated : Theory must
always precede practice aud all our
discoveries both great and small are
the result of theory successfully car
ried out, and one is intimately con-
nected and dependent upon the other.
What we learn may be taught US by
some one who in turn was taught by
some one else, but if we trace it back
far enough we will find that some one
with brains, having tried the old way
so long thought there ought to be
better way. Straightway theory came
into play and by working out the
theories carefully, new methods and
plans were developed and then put in
to general practice. Theory is only
distastetul and Objectionable as well
as pernicious when it has no founda-
ton and where there is neither oppor-
tunity or inclination to develop it into
facts, but as ] have said facts are
abundant and / shall not indulge in
many if any theories. | believe am
safe in saying that in no other depart
ment of the farm has there been such
advancement OF late years as in the
poultry yard, for one reason, that in
no other department has there been
such neglect and abuse, ana another is
that there has been a general awaken
ing among the people to the interest
of poultry. commonly called the hen
fever, the result of which has been to
give her higher place. 1t has been
quite common idea for a long time
That poultry needed but little or no
care and the idea was fully carried out
in practice, Unsuitable arrangements and
wanton neglect characterized the gen
eral farm management of the chickens.
1t is thought by many that any old
shed which will not answer for a pig
pen, COW stable or dog house, is
plenty good enough for fowls, and the
fowls often show their better sense in
choosing the fences and apple trees out
side, rather than accept the palatial
homes offered, This style of houses is
not such as will tend TO make the
keeping of fowls either pleasant or
profitable.
Poultry keeping is no exception to the
general principal in all business that
neglect is very expensive. i speak
with assurance on this subject for as
a boy on the old farm saw the results
of the faulty management Later
have reaped the fruit OF better sys-
TEN. Nor was my fathers manage
ment Of the the poorest, doubt if
there was better iu the vicinity. He
gave the chickens warm house and
always had them well fed, fautless
roost poles were in position and cozy
nests were arranged to tempt to egg
laying, but for a good part of the year
it was only this and nothing more.
Cleaning from under the roosts except
at corn planting, giving warm drink
in winter or any drink at any season,
feeding meat or vegetable food in
~inter or uaSing the house light with |
ample sunny windows, all this was
never thought of. We got abundant
eggs in sammer when eggs were al
most worthless except to aid in pastry |
and add a relish 10 the table, and had
che chicken stew, the roas. or the
famoas chicken pie whenever desired
and all ignorant that more was posi-
BILE we ieanaed aherewith 10 be content.