1^2 The Illustrated Book of Poltltry. 



ready prepared, we give the formula in tlie chapter on Diseases. It may be i^r/en to weakly chickens 

 continuously, in the proportions of a teaspoonful of the syrup well mixed in every pint of water. 



The parentage of each brood of chicks we need hardly say should be carefully noted down 

 in the hatching book ; and if that of every egg sold be also recorded, it may afterwards prove of 

 the greatest service should it be wished to obtain a bird back from a particular strain. This is 

 easily done as follows, which is our own manner of recording such matters. We will suppose we 

 are breeding from three cocks called respectively "Uncle Sam," "Goliath," and "Sambo" (names 

 are a real assistance in these matters, not merely freaks of fancy), and that out of many pullets 

 and hens we have several of more than usual excellence or tried value as breeders. Then an 

 entry in our egg-sales memorandum-book for any given year might read as follows, each entry 

 being ruled off like those in a storekeeper's day-book : — 



April 10. 



May 2. 



Mr. John Smith, 10* 



Blankville, 



Blankshire, 



3 Goliath (I Princess), 4 Uncle Sam (2 Countess), 3 S.imbo. 



Result — 7 ; (r Uncle .Sam and 2 Goliath were clear). 



The result would be filled in when stated, as it almost always is, by purchasers in due time ; 

 and if the eggs are marked with at least the name of the cock whose pen they come from, such 

 particulars also are frequently repor ed. Then supposing we had bad luck with the chicks from 

 the cock called " Uncle Sam," who is perhaps getting old, hatching hardly any from him ; and 

 that our hen " Countess" is either dead or sold ; on looking over the register of sales towards 

 winter, we find that Mr. John Smith had at least one if not two chicks from the best hen in 

 "Uncle Sam's" pen; and if he reared them safely we stand a good chance of buying back at a 

 fair price a bird which in our then circumstances may be invaluable. A little pains and method 

 in these matters is always well repaid in the end. 



As the home chickens grow large enough to leave their mother, it is of equal importance 

 that this knowledge of their origin be preserved. In many cases, where constant attention is 

 given to the fowls, the memory alone may be trusted to ensure this, as every individual chicken 

 out of even a hundred may be easily recognised by a real amateur who takes an interest in them ; 

 but usually some kind of permanent mark becomes necessary. Some cut a small nick on the bill, 

 and others punch small holes through the web between the toes; but both these methods, if at all 

 conspicuous, of course proportionately disfigure the bird, besides involving the danger of disquali- 

 fication if noticed in the show-pen. Byiar the best plan is to extend the wing of the chicken, 

 when a triangular web of mere skin will be found between it and the shoulder, which can be 

 pierced in an instant by a stout, red-hot knitting-needle. This method may be thought cruel ; but 

 the pain really appears only momentary and the part almost devoid of feeling, for after the instant 

 which it occupies the chick appears to take no notice whatever. The needle should go through 

 and be withdrawn with a single, swift, " pecking " kind of movement ; and by thus piercing one, 

 two, or more holes, thus . : .-. v :: any desired distinction may be observed, especially as 



• After long experience, we now invariably send out only Itn eggs as a sitting. We have always found that on an average 

 there is a larger production of fine birds from this number than more ; and, indeed, a hen cannot cover more than about seven 

 Asiatic chickens at a month old. In small breeds this limitation would not apply. 



