32 The Illustrated Book of Poultry. 



filled tightly with horse litter and manure, nailing more strips across the top of the tub to keep it 

 in. When all is prepared, the bottle is filled with water, and corked, after which the whole is 

 inverted as shown in the engraving, a pan slipped under the mouth of the bottle, and the cork 

 withdrawn. The heat of the manure will remain for days, and keep the water from freezing, 

 especially if put in the sun, unless the thermometer is below zero. Of course, whenever the heat 

 of the manure becomes exhausted, tlie tub must be emptied and fresh filled ; and every night the 

 bottle must be allowed to empty itself, being refilled in the morning. During ordinary frosty 

 weather pans are better than fountains, as a slight greasing will entirely prevent the ice adhering 

 to them, and save all trouble whatever beyond filling when required. 



In very cold or wet weather, it is well to add some iron to the water. Sulphate of iron alone 

 becomes rusty, and disliked by the fowls, but a drop or two of sulphuric acid added will prevent 

 this. A lump of sulphate of iron, the size of a filbert, and three drops of acid, will be enough for 

 each gallon of water; or a teaspoonful of tincture of iron (the recognised pharmaceutical preparation 

 known as "tincture of steel " by the chemists, and which consists chief!}- of iron and muriatic acid), 

 will answer as well. One or the other should always be used during moulting-time, as it helps 

 the fowls greatly through what is the most critical period of the year. At that season, also, the 

 food should be specially looked after, and a little hempseed given two or three times a week 

 is very beneficial. Verj' lately we have seen the use of hempseed condemned in one of the best 

 poultry papers, and if given daily we believe it really is injurious ; but sparingly, and in 

 moderation, we are convinced from actual trial that it is of the vciy greatest use during the 

 change of feathers. To delicate fowls, e\ en ale may sometimes be given with advantage during 

 moult ; but most breeds are none the better for it, and in some it always causes purging. 

 A little extra meat, however, is ahvays beneficial at such seasons, and has another effect in the , 

 earlier commencement of laying. 



It only remains to add, under the head of food, that fowls require some regular supply of lime, 

 and also of gravel or small stones. The one is needed to form the egg-shells, the other to assist 

 the gizzard. Old mortar will answer both purposes, and burnt, pulverised oyster-shells are also 

 good. The stones they will get for themselves out of almost any run containing earth or sand. 

 If tlie flooring of their shed be sifted quite fine, a little gravel or stone-grit of some kind must 

 be specially provided. 



Fowls, as is \\ell known, clean tlicmsclves by rolling in dry earth or dust, and this must be 

 afforded them, however confined the space. Supposing the shed to be floored with dry earth or 

 sand as recommended, nothing further will be required ; but if the floor be hard, a shallow box of 

 ashes, road dust, or dry earth must be put in some corner for them. In a larger run, any out-of- 

 the-way corner will do; and it is beneficial to mix a few pounds of black sulphur with the contents 

 of the box. \\'hen this is properly attended to, and the house cleaned out every two da)-s or so, 

 there will usually be little trouble frcm vermin ; but if these do appear, carbolic acid (already 

 recommended in our first chapter) is the best remedy. In washing the walls, the best strength will 

 be three ounces of the acid in crystals, dissolved in three gallons of lime-water. This will be 

 certain death to all insects in the house itself, and the fowls themselves are to be dipped in a 

 solution of one part carbolic acid to si.xty parts water, long enough to soak them, after which they 

 should be put by the fire to dry. Another excellent preparation for use in poultry-houses is 

 carbolate of lime (which is identical with " Calvert's disinfecting powder," only much cheaper). 

 This is both a powerful and pleasant disinfectant, whilst it will also destroy insects if dust 

 liberally on the floor and against the walls. Being a dry powder, it may also be dusted in ne 

 among the straw, where a wash cannot be used, and employed in this way is far more effect 



