Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-10-14
Feeding and Fatteninm.

1t becomes an interesting wonder every
year why the rural cottagers of the Unit
ed Kingdom do not rear fowls almost uni
versally, seeing how little the cost would
be and how great the demand. We i'm
port many millions of eggs annually.
Why should we import any? After pass
ing dozens of cottages on commons or in
lanes in England where the children have
nothing to do, and would be glad of pets,
you meet man with gold rings in his
ears, who asks you in broken English to
buy eggs from the continent. Wherever
there is a cottage family living on pota-
toes or better fare, and grass growing any
where near them, it would be worth while
to nail up a little pent house and make
nests Of clean straw, and go in for a spec
ulation in eggs and chickens. Seeds,
worms and insects go a great way in
feeding poultry in such places; and then
there are the small and refuse potatoes
from the heap and the outside cabbage
leaves, and the scraps of all sorts. Very
small purchases of broken rice (which is
extremely cheap, inferior grain and mix
ed meal would do all else that is neces-
sary. There would probably be larger
losses from ''vermin" than in better guard
ed places; but these could be well afford
ed as mere deduction from considerable
gains. 1t is understood that the keeping
of poultry is largely on the increase in
the country generally, and even among
cOttagers; but the prevailing idea is of
competition as to races and specimens for
the pOultry-yard rather than of meeting
the demand for eggs and fowls for the
table.
The chicks most likely to fatten well
| IL L - II
those with the shortest legs. Long legged
fowls, as a rule, are by far the most diff
cult to fatten. The most delicate sort
are those which are put up to fatten as
soon as the hen forsakes them; for, as
says an old writer, then they will be in
fine condition, and full of flesh, which
flesh is afterward expended in the exer
else of foraging for food, and in the in
crease of stature; and it may be work of
some weeks to recover it-especially with
young cocks"
But whether you take them in hand as
chicks, or not till they are older, the
three prime rules to be observed are,
sound and various food, warmth and
cleanliness. There is nothing that a fat
ting fowl grows so fastidious about as his
water. If water any way foul be offered
| him, he Will not drink 1t, but suIk with
his food, and pine, and you are all the
while wondering the reason why. Keep
them separate, allowing TO each bird as
much space as you can spare; spread the
ground with sharp sandy gravel; and
take care that they are not disturbed. In
addition to their regular diet of good
corn, make them a cake of ground oats or
beans, brown sugar, milk, and mutton
suet. Let the cake lie till it is stale, then
crumble it, and give each bird a gill
measureful morning and evening. No
entire grain should be given to fowls
during the time they are fattening; in
deed, the secret of success lies in supply
! ing them with the most nutritious food
without stint, and in such form that
their digestive mills shall find no diff
Guilty in grinding it.-MisS Mdrtinean.