The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-06-17
TIE CULTURE OF FOWLS
Some Suggestions for Those Going
to Rural Summer Homes.
Raising Poultry n Pnstimc Can
he Made Profitable IL Care and
Judrmcnt Are Vscd-The prcpRrn-
aion of the Inrds and Buildings.
other Ncccssary Arrangements.


irgton are beginning to make their ar
rangements for moving TO the suburbs or
to the rural districts in the immediate
neighborhood where they can spend the
summer in the cool country lanes and
fields.
While many Of these people will board
at some farm or other house, still larger
number have arranged to take cottages or
farmhouses. where they will go regularly
to housekeeping and make themselves as
comfortable as possible.
Attached to most Of the cottages in the
villages and farm districts tia. WI Re
brought into play as summer ZONES Ihay
be foun small kitchen gardens, and, wHat
generally Ileases the man OF the TAM
lily, a Penthouse. in which he at ,nce SECS
an opportunity of keeping his table SUP
piled with fresh-laid eggs, and he even has
visions CT having young chickens fer his
table. 1t has been frequently said that
there was never q man who went to the
country to live that did not have strong
desire to raise poultry on his own account.
Large numbers OF the rural population
find it inconvenient IL not impossible TO
supply fresh meat daily for their tables
and of all live stock poultry furnishes the
most convenient means OF supplying an eH-
cellent quality Of food in suitable Quanti-
ties This is particularly true during the
hot summer months. when fresh meat will
keep only a short time with the conven-
fences usually at the command Of the ru-
raj resident.
II the man who starts 10 raise chickens
for a pastime would but realize 1t he
could very soon by the exercises OF some
care and attention build up poultry yard
that would prove considerable source of
revenue.
The general consumption of poultry
products by all classes of people furnishes
home markets in almost every city and
town in the United States, and at prices
which are usually remunerative, If good
judgment Is exercised in the management
of the business.
Although fowls require as wholesome
food as any class Of livestock, they can he
fed perhaps more than any other kind of
animal on understandable seeds and
grains that would be otherwise wholly or
partially lost. These seeds often contain
various weed seeds. broken and undevel-
oped kernels. and this furnishes variety
of food which is always advantageous in
ger of injury to poultry from these refuEe
seeds than is the case with any other kind
of animals. AS rule, noxious weed seeds
can be fed to fowls without fear Of dis
seminating the seeds through the manure
which is not generally true when the weed
seeds are fed to other kinds of stock, par
ucularly when it is done in any consider
able quantity.
For one who intends to start into the
hgci niff ,ar froa for hn
purpose Of making money, there are many
things to be carefully studied and consid-
cred. In the first place the location of the
poultry yard and houses is the most impor-
tant. Too much care cannot be exercised
in the selection of the site and the prepa-
ration OF the buildings.
Soil for Poultry Yards.
A dry, porous soil is always to be pre-
ferred as a site for buildings and yards.
Cleanliness and freedom from moisture
must be secured if the greatest success is
- be attained. Without doubt, filth and
moisture are the causes either directly or
indirectly. Of the majority Of poultry dis
cases, and form the stumbling block
which brings encouragement and failure
to many amateurs. 1t must not be in
reared and profitably kept on heavy soils,
for abundant proof TO the contrary is read
lily furnished by successful poultrymen
who have to contend with this kind of
land. The necessity for cleanliness. how
ever. is not disputed by those who have
had extended experience in csring for
fowls. particularly the less hardy breeds
That an open. porous soil can be kept COM
paratively clean with much less labor
than clay soil will be evident to those
who are at all acquainted with the habits
of domesticated fowls. When the fowls
are confined in buildings and yards, that
part of the yard nearest the buildings win
become more or less filthy from the drop
pings and continual tramping to which It
is subjected. A heavy or clayey soil not
only retains all Of the manure on the sur
face. but by re;arding percolation at
times of frequent showers aids materially
in giving to the whole surface complete
coating of filth.
II a knoll or ridge can be selected where
natural draining is perfect the ideal con-
dition will be nearly approached. Where
natural drainage conditions do not exist
artificial means must be used.
Climatic conditions will necessarily gov
ern the rules for building the houses.
Though in general way it might be said
that all houses for the care Of poultry
should be warm and well lighted
In order to meet these requirements II
will be necessary to provide a good roof
with side walls more or less impervious
TO moisture and cold, suitable arrange
ments for lighting and yentilating. and
some means for excluding the moisture
from beneath. Where permanent buildings
are to be erected, some provision should
be made to exclude rats and mice, and for
this reason. if for no other, the structure
should be placed on cement walls with
foundation below the frost line Cheap,
efficient walls may be made of small field
stone in the following manner: Dig
trenches for the walls below the frost
line; drive two rows of stakes in the
trenches. one row at each side Of the
trench, and board inside of the stakes
The boards simply hold the stones and CO.
ment in place until the cement hardens
Rough and even boards will answer every
purpose except for the top ones. which
should have the upper edge straight and
be placed level TO determine the top of the |
wall. Place two or three layers of stone |
in the bottom of the trench, put on ce- |
meDt mixed rather thin, and pound down;
repeat this operation until the desired |
height is obtained. The top of the wall |
can be snoothed of with trowel or |
dtciiing spade and left until the cement |
becomes hard, when 1t will be ready for |
the building.
Dimensions of the Buildings.
One OF the first questions to be decided |
in preparing plans for the building is its |
as well as its shape. a square
building is the most economical. 1t is |
essential that each pen within the house |
should have as much sunlight as possible. |
A building one story high and between