Feh. 3. 19()R.l Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 155 



each, ami. as tlic [iliotograph sluiws, are mostly Leglioriis (ir Orpingtons. 

 There are lai-ge roostiiig-liouse.-;, Ijiit many of them percli on trees. The 

 hiving houses are connnodious, divided into hundreds ot" nest boxes, but 

 neither nesting material or nest-eggs. Wliitewash as a vermin killer has 

 been found useless; an occasional painting of the roosts with wood- 

 preserving oil or kerosene keeps them clear of all venuiu. 



The feed for tlie liens consist of pollard and bran mixed with chaffed 

 green sttiff, scalded witli meat-soup from the sheeps' lieads ; wheat for the 

 evening feed in summer, and corn in winter. Meat is also regtilarly 

 i^tipplied as a means to good i^^^'^ results. 



In connection with the fowls, a remarkable thing was witnessed. There 

 was not a male bird visibli' on the place, and more remarkable still, there 

 was not a chicken to l)e seen, (^'uestioned on tlie matter, the proprietor 

 replied : " Koosters are no good to me ; they would only eat food. I keei? 

 ni}- fowls for laying only." ^Vhen told that whatever the fowl's age was 



'f?"'''!?i 



r'ft!*.;4 



Fig. 11. — A flock of Blue Orpington ducks. 





now, in a year or two thev would l)e too ohl — and where are your chicktns 

 to take the ydace of the old ones: ■" Oh ! " said he, ■" 1 do not rear a ay 

 chickens. Taking into consideration infertile eggs, losses in rearing, and 

 time inctirred, when I count everything I cannot luring cliickens to the £ge 

 of laying for less than 2s. 9d. or '^s. each. The Manly district is a 

 wonderful place for people starting poultry farming. Many of th^ise 

 beginners are unsuccessful, in a year or two giving the business best, a ad 

 I generally purchase tlieir stock at mucli less than I could rear it. Fre- 

 qtientlv 1 have bought people's stock right out at 2s. to 2s. 6d. a couj^le, 

 young and old. I handle every one I buy, and put a mark on the young- 

 ones by which I always know their age. I place the-e in a pen by them- 

 selves, and in a few days if any of them appear not to l)e doing well I 

 send tliem and the old ones to the saleyards, where perhaps on the same 

 •lay I may purchase young stufi' for less than the old ones fetched. 1 do 

 not know," said he, "how people can rear fowls at the price. I could not; 

 or. rather, when I can ])u.rchase ready made, why ti'o to all the v.'orry of 

 rearintr ? " 



