The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-06-28
PRINCIPLES OF
POULTRY RAISING
Harrison Weir Tells Essentials
for a Beginner
HOW TO CURE ROUP
Other Topics of'lntereSt TO the
Farmer


Most people have the idea that for poul-
try keeping, whether for pleasure or profit
very little, if anything. is required beyond
common sense, inclination and sufficient
amount OF capital-as though there were
nothing to learn, no knowledge or ex-
perience necessary, but simply 10 take or
buy some ground, build sheds. made runs.
and stock them with fowls, turkeys, geese
and ducks, and-"the thing is done" But,
unfortunately. it is not; excepting that,
in so far as a certain amount of money
has been spent in the hiring or buying
Of the land and the poultry doubtful
responsibility has been incurred, while
the profit is by no means so apparent;
and then the tyro begins to realize, II he
or she has not done 50 before, that the
keeping OF poultry, like any other bust
ness, must have an especial training and
also an aptitude for the occupation, which
it may be safely said it not universal.
This latter attribute is one that can never
be acquired. ana therefore it is possibly
one of the reasons. if not the chief Of
the many failures Of attempted poultry
farming, even as an important adjunct
to the land industry Of the making Of
money in other ways.
These facts are already SO well known
and have been so often and so thorough
ly discussed, that it seems almost super
fious To mention them again; and it Is
only for one reason that they are so con-
tinually disresarded, or disbelieved- that
it is needfuI once more to call attention
to the useIessness of trying 70 do that for
which one is UNITED, and utterly neglect
ing the ever-incTeasing warning daily
given by other absolute failures. Some
practical insight is absolutely necessary
to commercial success in large circle.
In the first place, If the keeping of
poultry is decided upon, either for plea
sure or profit or both. the very best plan
is to begin in a small way with few
fowls, as all knowledge is gained by OBJ
servation, reflection and experience; then
TO add 10 the stock. if it is found to be a
strongly recommended. is that of joining
one already versed in the many methods,
market values and other requirements.
Various things besides inclination and
capital have to be considered; and not
any, unless they have tried it, can pos
sibly conceive how many difficulties there
are, expected and otherwise, and how
much knowledge there is to require. The
things to learn before any one can hope
to accomplish even a moderate success
are almost numberless. While. indeed,
with some few all this is as though they
were TO the manner born" and with
such failure seems almost impossible,
yet. even with such gifts there are
other things necessary TO command sue
cess besides the breeding and rearing of
the poultry. Not the least of these are
good sound. steady business habits, an
acute faculty for buying and selling. and,
lastly. a steady sale and market for the
produce.
Before commencing, a locality must be
chosen. and the soil should be dry. loamy
and slightly sandy. yet very fertile. ad-
vises Harrison Weir in Country Life. The
sand. in wet weather, prevents the mud
adhering to the feet and feathers Of the
birds. The soil should naturally be
well drained by a gravel or stony soil, and
if possible, have a clear stream intersect-
ing toward which the ground should
slope with a southern aspect If shell
tered by trees or evergreen enclosures
from cold. raw winds. is is then, indeed
favorable; and where such can be Sc
cured. combined with proper knowledge
of poultry life. almost any variety of
fowls may be kept with advantage. But
if the land is heavy. clayel or retentive
Of moisture. then it must be srtinciaIly
drained, and must also be stocked with
a more hardy variety or breed. In all
cases where the ground To be occupied is
bare. it is advisable 70 plant good vari-
cites of fruit trees and of these the
cherry is the most rapid-growing. Plums
are especially suitable as 1t is claimed
the poultry keep down the ravages Of the
curcWio. Where The yards are extensive
fruit trees should be the rule This is
the time honoreI custom. and "A good
one. Plant trees of vigorous growth-the
kinds that are favorites il market. The
Tree viii. in time, provide the partial
shade so desirable.
As 10 the houses. coops and rearers.
they should he cheap and serviceable.
fairly roomy, window-lichted. and wei
ventilated but without a draft Each
should have perches. next boxes and dust
ing places. with scratching sheds where
no trees are available. The shape. height
and width and size of the houses should
be such as are suitable q the breeds kept
For the heavy Asiatic breeds a different
kind of house must BE- provided. for Ply
mouth Rocks and Wyandottes and the
Games or Hamburgs viii require stu
smaller accommodations. The size Of
the runs must be determined according
TO space at command and the variety
Of breed for which they are intended.
The runs fencing must be boarded. or
have very fine mesh Of strong wire from
the ground upward. at least three feet
high. so as 10 prevent the cocks from
fighting. This IS 10 be surmounted by
two-inch mesh wire netting. al least six
feet high with the flying breeds. and
Two or three feet with the Asiatics.
TO PUT UP PICKLES.
II makes little difference at what sea-