Profit of Poultry. „ 
than sul P hur > or an ything except “ Persian powder,” the price of which latter, its only objection to 
the poultry-keeper, has lately been reduced. We have said that the very rudest contrivances 
answer for nests , but these must be regularly attended to, for if they become offensive the hens 
will often diop theii eggs on the ground rather than resort to them. We have seen nests in which 
the stiaw had been left till nearly rotten, and swarming with vermin. Fern-leaves are disliked by 
insects, and make a good nest ; and sassafras is best of all in localities where it is indigenous ; but 
the staple filling will of course be straw in most instances. 
The manure from the fowls should be carefully saved, as it is of great value. We had two 
samples, collected from Mr. O. E. Cresswell’s yard, sent for analysis and valuation to the late Dr. 
Voelcker. The silver-grey Dorkings from which it was taken averaged 2 oz. per night, and our 
Brahmas averaged 3|-oz. °f fresh dung ; and Dr. Voelcker, valuing this in the same way as guano 
is valued — namely, by the ammonia contained — valued it at £2 per ton. The other sample had 
been stored for a few weeks in a cask, in the ordinary way — the form in which it would be usually 
sold : in this brief storage it lost much of its moisture, and Dr. Voelcker reported it to be worth 
£4 4s. per ton. For use, this well-known agricultural chemist advised that the manure should 
be mixed with twice its weight of dry earth, weed-ashes, or such matter, into a compost ; or with 
soot, which both dries it and adds ammonia ; or with a mixture of two parts burnt gypsum and one 
part superphosphate, keeping under cover and turning over once or twice, which both dries it and 
fixes the ammonia. In any of these ways he recommends it as a “good manure for most crops,” 
when used at the rate of 8 to iocwt. per acre. Generally poultry manure has been used far too 
strong and in too large quantity for good results. 
Feathers are not worth saving in small quantities, but where many fowls are kept they become 
of value. All may be used, the webs of the larger being stripped from the quills, and the small 
ones left as they are. The whole must then be placed in paper bags, quite loosely, and hung a 
few days in a warm place to dry. They should then be baked four times, for half an hour on each 
occasion, in a cool oven, drying for two days between each baking, when they will be perfectly 
cured. Half the cheaper feather-beds now sold are made of hen feathers ; and after they are once 
put in the bags the process is little trouble. 
Respecting the profit of poultry-keeping, opinions — and real experience too — will somewhat 
vary. Pamphlets written by those ignorant of the subject have achieved a momentary popularity, 
but done much real harm, caused much disappointment and disgust, and occasioned much doubt 
in many minds as to any profit at all, by the sensational statements that the profit is equal to 
500 per cent. ; that eggs may be produced at one penny per dozen, and chickens at threepence 
per pound. We need hardly say that such statements are preposterous ; they are no doubt 
very popular, but they are also very inaccurate.* But we never knew poultry, kept judiciously, 
and systematically looked after, that did not yield a good return, varying perhaps from 25 to 100 
per cent, according to the circumstances. These differ greatly, and will affect the amount of 
profit. Where a few fowls are half kept on the kitchen scraps, if these are not charged and no 
extra expense is incurred for attendance, the profit is very great, and may exceed even 200 per 
cent, on the actual outlay. On an average, where all the food has to be bought, a large hen 
will cost from five shillings to six shillings per annum, and she ought to lay 150 eggs in that 
time, supposing she is chosen, housed, fed, and managed as we have directed. At one penny 
per egg a very moderate price now — this would give rather over 100 per cent., not including 
* Thus a pamphlet now particularly in view stated the cost of keeping fowls at from one penny to three-halfpence per 
week, and even at the lower figure it will be seen that the bird must lay a dozen eggs per week to produce diem at the cost 
stated. 
