30 The Illustrated Book of Poultry. 



such severe weather that they cannot procure (or themselves any of those insects or worms which 

 form the most natural source of supply. 



The last requisite in the shape of diet is a regular supply o^ great food. Here, again, fowls 

 kept on grass will need no attention ; but for birds penned up the daily provision of it is an 

 absolute necessity, though most beginners are ignorant of it. We well remember, in our own 

 early experience, how our fowls died, we could not at first tell why ; and one fine buff Cochin 

 cock, whose only fault was a strong vulture-hook, was, in particular, greatly regretted. An 

 experienced friend let us into the secret ; and after that we had no difficulty in keeping fowls 

 even where it is often said they cannot be kept in health — viz., in a yard paved with large flag- 

 stones. We kept them so for years, with profit and success, when we had once learnt how to feed 

 them. The best substitute for natural grass is a large fresh turf thrown in daily, or nearly so 

 (green food must only be missed on rare and unavoidable occasions), to each four or five hens ; and 

 even in towns it is often possible to procure this by giving children a few pence every week to 

 keep up a regular supply. Where turf k not allowed to be taken, grass may be cut or pulled ; 

 but in this case must be cut into green chaff with shears or a chaff machine. When cut, it may 

 be thrown into the feeding-trough, but is better mixed in with and given with the soft food, when 

 the birds must eat their regular portion. The latter plan is how we actually managed for years, in 

 a yard only sixty-seven .by thirty-five feet, divided into six pens ; paying some child a few pence to 

 bring fresh-cut grass daily, cutting it up and mixing it with their soft meat. The more given the 

 better, so that it be given regularly ; but a sudden increase of quantity should be guarded against, 

 leading to disorder of the digestive system. Next to grass, cabbages or lettuces will be best ; and 

 in a family where green vegetables are used daily, the refuse leaves will supply enough. But such 

 leaves must be cut or minced up with a chopper, or they will not be all eaten ; and decaying 

 cabbage-stumps in a pen are most offensive. If minced, nothing is usually left, stumps and all 

 being eagerly devoured. Another capital plan is to hang up a whole cabbage in the shed by a 

 string, about six inches from the ground, when picking at it will afford the fowls not only the food 

 they need, but great amusement and occupation. A beet or mangel, cut in half, may be served 

 in a similar manner, but in all these cases the refuse must be regularly cleared away. 



It is not a good plan to keep fowls and ducks in the same yard ; but, being sometimes 

 unavoidable, it is well to know how to feed either class of poultry independent of the other. 

 Fowls are very easily fed by laying a few boards about two feet high, on barrels or some other 

 stand ; the ducks rarely attempting to fly up as the fowls do. In feeding the ilucks, on the 

 other hand, a large flat pan should be procured, and a couple of bricks laid in the middle to keep 

 the food round the edges. Then a large box or tub should be turned over the pan, and 

 supported by a brick at each corner. This method depends upon the flexibility of the duck's neck, 

 which enables it to pass its head under the tub and feed itself out of the pan, while the fowls 

 can get nothing. This ingenious plan we take from the American Agriculturist. 



Except in certain cases of disease which require stinting, fowls must never be left without 

 water; and this must be so provided and placed that it may be kept cool and clean. For this reason, 

 when the fountain or trough has to be placed in a shed, it should be raised two or three inches 

 above the sand or gravel. Our own plan is to have about two feet square of hard raised ground in 

 every shed, on which the food and water are placed. In ordinary weather the water, if clean, need 

 only be changed every two days, provided it lasts so long ; but in summer it viust be filled up at 

 least daily, and be kept in the shade. Stale, sun-warmed water is often fatal to fowls, leading to 

 cholera and other diseases. The ordinary poultry-fountain is so well-known that description is 

 needless ; but there is a much superior construction made in earthenware by Messrs. Crook, oi 



