30 



EAISING FOWLS AND EGGS 



fowls confined in limited accommodations. The premises de- 

 scribed should always be kept as cleanly as possible, and at 

 least annually whitewashed upon the inside. 



Explanation. — Vt, vr'miovrs; b, ash-boses; 

 d, doors; n, nests; r, for roosts. (Ground plan-/ 



The remarks thus far submitted have reference, in a general 

 way, to the keeping of poultry upon an ordinary scale. With 

 slight daily care and attention, as above hinted, any farmer can 

 keep his hundred or two of fowls, which may readily be tended 

 and provided for by the boys upon his estate, or even by the 

 women of the household. From two hundred birds thus dis- 

 posed, he may obtain, annually, two thousand three hundred 

 dozen of eggs, and, if inclined, at least fifteen hund.-ed pounds 

 of marketable chickens, before the close of August, in each 

 year. This product will pay him from four hundred and fifty 

 to five hundred dollars in money, and leave him his original 

 stock for the next year. His expenses will be not over two 

 hundred to two hundred and fifty dollars, thus furnishing him 

 with an equal siim of profit upon say two hundred fowls. 



The calculation here made as to returns in eggs, is set down 

 at an annual yield of 140 eggs to each hen. This is fully up 

 to the average, under the best care and upon high feed. Some 

 fowls will lay more than this number, but these are exceptions. 

 From 130 to 110 eggs, yearly, is a generous supply, and I have 

 never known any fowls except the Chinese, or the cross already 

 described, that would accomplish more than this. The hen 

 spoken of by some writers that " lays every day in the year " 

 is a myth. 



For fattening fowls, the best corn is the cheapest standard 



