Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-06-04
Poultry RAISING.

| hnd health, pleasure and profit by con-
verting thevacant back lot into chick
en- yard. In these times of high-priced
! food products much valuable ground is
going to waste in every city and town,
ground that could be of great value to
| those who are fortunate enough to
| own or rent.
a small flock of poultry raised in the
back yard will furnish healthful ex-
| ercise, increase the appetite and re-
store color to ones complexion. About
fifteen years ago the writer of this ar
ticle weighed lis pounds, today he
weighs lSS, and he owes his good health
largely to the raising of poultry on his
city property.
AS for the profit, that depends large
ly upon the man behind the gun; the
kind of stock he raises, common or
thoroughbred; conditions under which
the birds are kept and the care they
receive. -...
AS basis to start upon, suppose we
take twenty hens that will average $50
eggs year each. at an average price
of Csc a dozen. These win bring SIS,
the cost of maintaining the fowls will
vary from IS to SO cents each, according
to the number of birds kept. The cost
Of feeding twenty hens for one year in
Indianapolis at the present prices of
feed Will run nearly 40 cents each, or
the total cost of the twenty about SIS
for one year. This will leave a net
prophit of $57 on the flock In what
| other way could similar amount be
earned as easily? In other words, these
twenty hens will reduce the owners
grocery bill over 81 a week for the en-
| tir year.
| The writer has upon his town lot at
this time ninety White Wyandottes.
| and even at the present high prices for
farm products we are feeding these
adult fowls at an avrage cost a year
of S1is cents for each bird. and. and
| they are in the very best of condition.
The cost of keeping ninety birds is
| somewhat less a fowl than the cost Of
feeding smaller flock, for feeds can
be purchased in larger quantities, and
consequently at a reduced cost.
| Persons not now turning vacant rear
lots to account should make prepara-
ti0ns to Go so. and make the fowls
pay part at least of the grocery bill.
This can easily be done by following
some very simple instructions closely.
In the first place. hoy large a space
can the beginner use for q run for the
fowls? A yard 30 by 50 feet will give
ample space for thirty-fiye laying hers
and house, by IL feet, will easily
house them. If there is Il shed on the
place this can be fitted UP to house the
birds. Arrange it SO as to have an
opening or two tis, size Of ordinary
windows. In one-ha!f TIL; open space
put in window to furnish light: over
the other hall tack btriap or very
thin muslin or cileesAClotl. This should
be kept over the aperture the year
round to supply ventilation in hot or
cold weather. .-4
| Poor ventilation is one of the main
sources of POULTRY diseases Proper
Ventilation is an absolute requirement.
Without it, the hens will not produce
anything like. the number of eggs they
should produce. Bear this iE mind first
of all. and remodel the shed if neces-
sary to meet this demand. If the be-
ginner lives in locality where he
fears the depredations of chicken
thieves, he can set iron bars over the
cloth-covcrcd opening and save him
self from loss. This, as a matter OF
fact, is a precaution every one should
take, as the cost is Insignificant.
Perches should be installed in proper
ton to the number of birds to be hous.
ed. DO not set the perches over TWEEN
ty-four inches above the ground 81
floor. The birds will not then bruist
their feet in jumping down and suffer
as a result from humble foot. 1t is (
1 good idea also to put in q dropping
board beneath the. perches. Wher
lclaening this can he raised or removed
Above all. things. clean the poultry
house once a week, twice week il
possible. The birds will not do wei
Unless their houses are Kept clean
4 With the house ready, the next Dues.
4 ton is the selection of bred. Aftel
years Of experience the wcitr adyiss
good thoroughbred fowl, one that tn,
beginner most fancies. MOngrel bird
will hardly pay for their, keep: 70
ltheir reproducing capacity.