The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-11-10
Keeping Common Fowls.

Germantown Telegraph.
There is a largs majority on the side OF the
common fowl, although she has never bad any
TO sing her praises. Her popularity does
nos consist % possessing merit but because,
like the Chinese. she outnumbers all others in
progeny, and forces h-rsef where other breeds
cannot as Yet co In fact, IL is cheaper 20 begin
with q common flock. and all that may be said
or written against them will be ut no avail 30
long ae everything depends on the cost III 10
safe TO say. however, that the pure breeds are
fast making iniosds into the ranks OF the COM
mon fiocks, until At the present time common
flock 10 often we'll bred. We doubt II there 10 q
flock Of twenty fowls anywhere that does not
Contain the blood OF some OF the best oreeds,
and the excellence Of certain hocks is due to the
good blood In them. for which, however. due
credit IS not given. But = common flock de-
serves as much care ard attention as any othss.
1t 10 an old maxim that she who will not prop
erly care for . common focK will not manage .
better one" and the expression is true. A com.
mon nock can be procured with but little ex-
pense, and, using 10 as foundation, the begin
ner can grade up TO a higher degree Of exceh
lenee every season by the use OF pure bred males
for crossing The value of the common locks
is greater than that of the pure breed in this
country. and we can add additional value BY
improving them.
Crowding will save space in the poultry house
should have ample room in the hen-honse In
severe weather, she shoald have plenty Of room
on the roost; an empty nest should always be
available, aud she should have space on the
floor for exercise. IL the hens Gro wded they
will begin 20 struggle for their existence; some
will get more food than others. and vices will be
learned that in the end will prove fatal to sue
cess. Crowding induces disease also. and les
sens the receipts but adds to the cost
What 10 the best material to be used on the
floors as litter for hens to scratch 10 10 often
asked At this season litter ia not easily pro-
durable, excepting dry dirt and straw. but later
on the cheapest and best material is leaves.
They should be raked up and stored away for
winter use and Kept dry aud clean. The next
most available material is straw, but IL requires
little labor prepare IL. as il should be passed
through a straw-cutter. Dried grass and musty
hay can be used, but the hens will sometimes
eat it. which may cause them to be crop bound.
Crushed and cut cornstalks may be used also,
but should be mixed with dirt. Dirt itself 10
excellent, and a plentiful supply of It should Do
stored for the purpose.
Tho feeding of cabbsges TO poultry may be
done in two ways: one 10 TO tie the cabbage to a
stick. and permit the hens TO pick al the head
whenever they desire. which is az easy and
baee fine, which, however, is more or less lsbori-
Gus. All vegetable-tops, or roots, should be
chopped, as the hens cannot eat them convent
emily when they are thrown entire over the
fence. They will not care for such food unless
il 10 fresh and succulent If IL is allowed to
wither il is often refused. To use it more prof.
tably chop it very fine, and feed only the guam.
tity required at tho time.