182 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



Keeping. — I let my fowls run at large both summer and 

 winter; I never coop them up not even when they have 

 chickens, I think they do much better^to run at large and pick 

 up bugs and seeds to suit their taste. 



Feeding. — I feed my fowls three times a day, winter and 

 summer, and I think there is no animal that will pay better for 

 being well fed, than a hen. When they are kept well fed, they 

 are always ready and fit to be killed, either for the table or for 

 market, and there is just as much difference in the appearance 

 of a well fed fowl and one not fed, as there is between a well 

 fed horse or ox and a lean one ; a well fed fowl's feathers will 

 shine and glisten in the sun, and any person can tell that it is in 

 a healthy state. It is necessary always to have plenty of clean 

 water for them to drink. 



In the winter when the ground is covered with snow, I give 

 my fowls cabbage leaves, or if I have turnips where the tops 

 have started, I cut the tops off of them, and cut them up and 

 mix them with meal, and give them about twice a week. 



In the winter to help them make their eggs, I pound up 

 oyster shells and old mortar ; I also give them all the refuse 

 bones from the table together with scraps of meat chopped up 

 together. Since I commenced feeding my fowls in this way, 

 there has not been a day but what some of them have laid, 

 which is now over two years. 



Statement of S. B. Bird. 



The following statement of the cost of keeping and income 

 of my fowls, is for eight months, from January 15, to Sep- 

 tember 15. 



Number of eggs sold and used, 181 dozen, at an aver- 

 age price of 38 cents, $68 78 



16 chickens, at 50 cents, 8 00 



mQ 78 

 Cost of keeping : 

 9 bushels corn and meal, 6 bushels barley, . . 18 75 



Net profit, $58 03 



