54 



POULTRY BREEDING IN 



Fig. 19. Section of Vermin Pit. 



It is not intended that vermin should replace the mince 

 meat in the food for poultry, but it should occasionally 

 be given in addition as dainty morsels in wet or cold 

 weather. 



The vermin nursery is formed of a succession of pits 

 with concrete bottoms and brick-lined sides ; the top is 

 covered with a trap, to prevent the rain entering, which 

 might kill the vermin. (See fig. 19.) 



To propagate vermin, put in alternate layers of mould 

 and vegetable and animal matter, such as horse dung, 

 garden refuse, entrails of animals, dead animals, blood, 

 &c., until the pit is filled. In a short time fermentation 

 will commence, and the mixture will soon be converted 

 into a living mass of vermin. If the fermentation take 

 too long, it may be hastened by watering. In winter it is 

 well to cover the mixture with horse manure, which will 

 keep the vermin warm and alive. 



This process of obtaining vermin is inexpensive, and it 

 will be found very serviceable in winter for young chick- 

 ens, and for stimulating the fowls to lay. 



