The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1901-04-03
Poultry Raising in Belgium.

Geo. f. Lincoln, consul general at
Antwerp, Belgium, reports to the /
United States government as follows:
Il has been suggested that a report I
on the method of raising fowls for the /
market in this country would be OF |
service, not only to those directly in
terested in the like business in our
country, but a boon to the public at
large. The succulence Of the spoulet
de Bruxelles" has a very widespread
reputation, not only among gourmets,
but among all who have had the good
fortune to travel upon the continent
and meet the same on the table.
The difference in quality between the
fowl above mentioned and one OF the
same age and size OF the ordinary va
riety Is shown by the fact that the first
is sold In nearly all the markets In
this country at double the price. For
example, a young poulet de Bruxelles
which we should consider about the
size sufficient for a meal OF two per-
sons is sold today for 5 francs (96.5
cents) whereas one OF the ordinary
variety can be purchased for between
? and francl (Ss.6 and 57.9 cents).
The excellence OF the fowl seems to
depend, as far as can be ascertained,
on the careful manner in which the
sitting hen Is treated, the cleanliness
observed s0out her, as well as the
careful feeding OF the young chicken
until sufficiently developed for eating
purposes. Whether or not the methods
pursued here differ from those fol-
lowed by careful breeders in our cOun-
try. It is impossible for me to say
Travellers almost Invariably express
their astonlshment at its tenderness
and juclness.
The choice Of eggs for setting pur-
poses is considered a matter Of great
importance, and the freshest obtain
able are almost invariably used. The
best breeders seldom take eggs older
than eight days for raising the best
quality Care Is taken that the eggs
given to one hen should be Of the
same age. The eggs when collected
are kept at a very even and medium
temperature until given to the hen,
and are turned daily. This measure
Is taken, I am informed, to prevent
the yolk which is lighter than the
white Of the egg, from adherlng to the
top Of the she'll. The eggs chosen for
the purpose above mentioned are also
Of an average size, those above medium
being rejected, as they often contain
double yolks. Eggs received from
distance, and consequently exposed to
more or less shaking, are allowed to
stand day or two before being put
under the hen. Great care also taken
that the eggs should be perfectly clean.
The nest is prepared Of straw or cut
hay perfectly clean, dry, and odorless.
AS rule, the sitting hens are located
in corners where the greatest quiet is
obtainable, and are not exposed to
great light When so located. they are
not disturbed for any other purpose
than the placing before them OF their
daily supply Of food and water. As
the hen leaves her nest at least once a
day to search for food, to take exer-
else. etc, care Is taken to put her food
and water within reach OF the nest. ID
order that the time that she is OF the
eggs may be materially shortened.
Raising and Feeding. the
young bird is hatched, It retains in It's
body part Of the yolk Of the egg from
which il was produced, which sufices
to nourish It for the first twenty-four
hours. during which period only
warmth Is required. which IS furnished
either BY the mother hen or must be
afforded by a warm cloth. in case OF
the necessity Of awaiting the Matching
Of the rest Of the brood.
The food first given can be varied
but must be made up OF ingredients
containing large quantities Of nitro
gen. as this IS required for the forma-
tion Of the tissues. II IS necessary. in
fact, that the food should be composed
OF matter resembling in character an
egg. together with milk Il IS Gus
tomary to mix the food eggs, milk, and
the blood Of earthworms. field worms.
and that Of a commoner variety OF fish:
also to introduce, for the formation Of
bone. certain quantities Of phosphate
Of lime found in grain and -four. In
the early days. -four should Be given
on account Of the facility Of its diges-
ton. grain being substituted therefor
as the birds begin 20 gather strength.