Li cc Stock. Poultry* Fowls Proper Management of. 74.9 



already defcribed. In order that there may be the lead pofiible interruption to 

 the poultry, it is neceflary that feparate places be provided for the purpofes of their 

 roofting, fitting, and being fattened in, as well as for containing their food ;. and, 

 where the quantity kept is very conliderable, for plucking and preferring their 

 feathers in ; as by this means the fyirem may be conducted to the greateft advan 

 tage. And where an attendant is kept for the purpofe of feeding and taking care 

 of this fort of flock, it maybe of confequence to have the place which is deligned 

 for lodging in fo firuated, as that the fmoke which it affords may pafs through the 

 roofting and fitting-rooms, as it has been long known that the fmoke, as well as 

 warmth thus communicated, is particularly grateful to the poultry, and highly 

 promotes their breeding and thriving. This is fufficiently fhown by the vaft 

 quantities that are raifed in the warm fmoky cottages in Scotland and Ireland. 



In addition there Ihould alfo be the conveniences of a yard, in which they may- 

 pick up fandy or gravelly particles,with a fmall grafs paddock for ranging in, in 

 tvhich there muftbe a fupply of pure water. The whole of the internal parts mould 

 be kept perfectly clean and free from vermin, by being frequently warned out and 

 lime whitedv 



In fetting both the henr and the turkey,in order to prevent cheir inconveniencing 

 each other, feparate nefts mould be provided in fituations where they can be con 

 fined and kept from the reft, as without this precaution the fame neft will have 

 two or three upon it ; by which much injury may be fuftained. 



Hens may be kept in the proportion of about fix or feven to a cock. Young ones 

 are the bed where eggs are the principal object ; but where chickens are chiefly in 

 demand the older kinds mould be preferred, as they fit with more afliduity and clofe- 

 nefs. Young hens moftly begin to lay in January, or early in the following month; 

 but this may be greatly promoted by the ufe of food of the more flimulaht kind ; 

 given with the grain, as buck-wheat, barley, hemp-feed, fenugreek, &c. in which 

 intention any kind of refufe animal matter chopped very frnall has been found 

 highly beneficial, alfo any of the fmall forts of fim, fuch as fprats, &c. prepared in 

 the fame manner. But whatever fort of food may be employed for the laying 

 hens, it is eflential to their producing a great number of eggs that they be. not 

 too much fed, though they Ihould not be kept too poorly, as from each extreme 

 difad vantage may proceed; 



The periods of fetting hens mufl neceflarily vary according as chickens are 

 wanted, but in general the latter end of February or the beginning of the following 

 month is a good feafon for the purpofe ; as the weather will be getting warm 



