THE BREEDING AND EXHIBITION OF 

 PRIZE POULTRY. 



CHAPTER X. 



YARDS AND ACCOMMODATION ADAPTED FOR BREEDING PRIZE 

 POULTRY. 



WHETHER the breeding of poultry with a view to exhibition 

 can be made profitable or otherwise, is a much vexed question 

 amongst amateurs. For ourselves, we believe that the answer 

 must depend partly upon the means of the fancier ; still more 

 upon the experience and knowledge he brings to bear upon the 

 subject ; and not a little upon the breed to which his fancy 

 inclines him. We are acquainted with breeders who never 

 could make the produce of their yards quite meet the current 

 expenses; and we also know at least half-a-dozen, of high 

 standing at all the principal shows, whose yards yield them a 

 clear profit varying from .20 to c200 per annum. It is, there- 

 fore, most certainly possible to make even the "fancy" for 

 poultry remunerative. But first of all it is necessary to con- 

 sider the question of accommodation. 



The plan of a poultry-yard given at page 9, with the 

 addition of a lawn or separate grass-run, on which young 

 chickens may be cooped separately, is very well adapted for 

 rearing some breeds upon a small scale. The two runs may 

 be used to separate the sexes during autumn if preferred, or 

 to keep the chickens apart from the old fowls _, whilst the run for 

 the sitting hens will, after its proper design has been fulfilled, be 

 very convenient for the reception of one or two single cocks, or 

 any other casual purpose. To ensure success, the most exquisite 

 cleanliness must be observed, and at the beginning of every 

 year the grass in the runs should be carefully renewed, if 

 necessary, by liberal sowing, of course keeping the fowls off 

 it till thoroughly rooted again. At this season the confinement 



