44 



GENESEE FARMER. 



Feb. 



are about the size and form of the last described, 

 and have ordinarily five toes. Having been 

 known in this county but few years, their repu- 

 tation is chiefly imported. L. F. Allen, Esq , 

 of Black Rock, who first introduced them, and 

 who gave me mine, likes them better than any 

 be has ever known. If they possess more good 

 qualities than the Ostrich breed, they are a most 

 valuable acquisition. Though they are now to- 

 gether, I have two houses and shall breed them 

 separate. 



(Fig. 11.) Section of a Hen-house. 



Figure 11 represents the section of a hen- 

 house, the size to be proportionate to the number 

 of fowls. The dots at A are roosts, rising a little 

 toward the rear. B is a tight floor about two feet 

 below ; this catches all the droppings of the fowls, 

 which are thus saved unmixed with seed. Hen 

 manure saved in this manner is about as good as 

 guano. The floor under B should be covered 

 with hay or straw a few inches deep; the fowls 

 like to stand upon and scratch among it. C is a 

 ladder — a board with cleats by means of which 

 the fowls can reach the roosts without flying. 



than a small one, while it obviates the necessity 

 of being frequently replenished. 



Figure 13 shows a foun- 

 tain, — simple and easily 

 constructed. An ordira- 

 ry junk bottle forms a re- 

 servoir; the trough below 

 contains very little water, 

 yet is never overflowed. 

 ^ Pointed lath, nailed to the 



/ /' /^ J sides and stuck into the 



/|~M Z \| ^i ground, keep the whole 

 ^^0^.-^}^.- upright. 

 -^^"■^T^^ir -<.^_;-^--c^--w._ Young chickens require 

 (Fig. 13.) Fountain, near them a constant sup- 

 ply of clean water. If it is given to them in a 

 dish, they will soon spoil it with dirt, and in cold 

 days often injure themselves by getting wet in it. 

 Tiiis plan obviates those troubles. 



(Fig. 12.) Feeder. 



Figure 12 will convey some idea of a feeder, 

 which is alike on both sides, or may be made in 

 half by cutting from the ridge of the cover down, 

 and closing up that side. The dotted lines at the 

 end represent the position of the boards forming the 

 hopper for the grain. The lower edges should 

 be left about an inch apart, and the same distance 

 from the bottom board, to allow the feed to fall 

 down to replenish the stock below. The slats 

 should be made of lath or thin boards, and set 

 about two inches apart. The lower front board 

 upon which they are nailed .should be two or 

 three inches wide to prevent the fowls spilling 

 the grain. A large feeder co.sts but little more 



(Fig. 14,) Improved Nests. 



Figure 14 gives a perspective view of impro- 

 ved nests, numbered for registering the day a 

 hen commences to set. The front aperture 

 should be about eight inches square, and the 

 nests at least a foot square in the clear. They 

 I are nailed or hung up at the sides of the house, 

 I or in any barn or shed, and may be without any 

 other back than that thus aftbrded. The board 

 B should be at least 3 inches high in the narrow- 

 est part, to prevent the first chickens running 

 out before all are hatched. A is a narrow strip 

 of board, fastened to the nests by projecting pie- 

 ces ; without them the fowls would hardly find 

 out what nice quarters were provided. Not more 

 than two nests should be together. If placed 

 in rows, with uniform openings, the hens trouble 

 each other — and setting hens very often have 

 their nests broken up by intruders, or by going to 

 wrong boxes after feeding. A flour barrel saw- 

 ed in two, with part of each head knocked out, 

 and each half nailed to the wall by the bilge, 

 makes two very good nests. 



I have followed your wishes to condense as 

 much as possible. No newspaper communica- 

 tion can contain all, or half the information on 

 this subject that the man who wishes to make his 

 fowls profitable will need ; the personal inspec- 

 tion of a good "hennery" is necessary, and will 

 save many useless and unpz-ofitable experiments. 

 Yours, J. W. BissELL. 



Brighton, Dec. 15, 1846. 



