The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-07-18
POULTRY

Indigestion is frequent cause of dis
ease with fowls, and this comes from
over creating. 1t can in great measure be
avoided by giving them proper variety
OF food, and by compelling exercise in
procuring it. Do not shut them away
from supply of gritty material, for this
helps them to grind their food properly,
and prevents cloying.
Cleanliness and attention to food and
water will keep the cholera away from
any place. When once it has fixed itself
upon the victim there is no remedy but
to kill the fowl and burn or deeply bury
it. Let the house be sprinkled with
a solution of corrosive sublimate, or,
which is safer, solution of sulphate of
copper.
While inbreeding has its purposes, it
cannot be recommended to the practical
poultry raiser. New blood should be
constantly introduced into the flock if
profit is to be the aim. The chickens
which we most desire must show activ-
ity. strength and vitality. Every move
should indicate alertness and power.
In order to have plenty of fresh eggs
new blood must be introduced into the
flock every year. Even a mongrel bird
will benefit high bred flock better than
no change at all, for it may bring hardi-
ness and endurance. which cannot be
obtained from one which has been 30
carefully reared for generations past.
II these cocks show attention to the
hens, counting them in every possible
way and giving them choice bits, it is
we'll with that flock, and vitality has not
died out; but if the cock is a dullard
and laggard, not following in the chase
after insects and worms. and the hens
disinclined to exercise much, it is about
time there was breaking up in that
family.
BY preventing the air from penetrat-
ing the shell by some substance which
will not kill the germ and prevent its
Matching. an egg can be preserved lon
ger than in any other way. The French
have thus vanished eggs and Matched
chickens from them after two years. AL
cohol removes the glaze at any time.
Turkey raising is becoming more
profitable and popular. Like sheep,
they grow and fstten in the fields on
what would be otherwise lost; beside,
their eating of insects by the million is
benefit to the crops, A good crop OF
turkeys brings fine income for little
expense. Their long legs enable them
to move easily anywhere.
About one third OF all the poultry
raised in this country is owned by those
who live in the cities, towns and villages,
and town people nearly always keep the
pure breds and know more about rails
ing chickens than do the farmers; in
fact, small flock will pay better in the
city than in the country.
City poulterers have the advantage OF
being convenient to a constant supply
of green bone, in the shops. In small
yards great secret is in giving plenty
of grit and water, and in keeping the
hens at work. If necessary, starve them
to it. No work. no eggs; but plenty OF
exercise makes healthy fowls and full
basket.
From five geese can be picked a
pound of feathers every six weeks.
These will sell for 40 cents. From 500
geese upon a arm 100 pounds could be
picked, at the same rate, in a year
amounting to S66 pounds and over, and
worth S346. So much for the figures,
] aud figures never lie.