FEB 2i 
i42 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
POULTRY THAT PAY PROFIT. 
A TOMPKINS CO. (N. Y.) HENNERY. 
Hens Built for Laying; a Man Built for the Hen 
Business; no Need for McKinley to come to the 
Rescue Here; the “Egg Type'' and the “Scratch- 
er Type;" the Hen stops the “Depression Growl;" 
Feed her Fit Food. 
The Hen Saves Eastern Farms. 
The growing of grain and feeding of cattle for beef have 
become so unprofitable by reason of the rapid extension of 
railroads which bring the products of distant cheap lands 
to our very doors, that they must be abandoned. The 
careless robbing of soil fertility, has reduced the amount 
that can possibly be grown to an almost unprofitable ex¬ 
tent, and until the Western land becomes so depleted that 
farmers there, too, will be compelled to restore fertility, we 
must seek some other source of profit or growl about 
agricultural depression. Smaller areas of high-priced 
land must be devoted to intensive, thoughtful culture. A 
system must be adopted that will not only bring a reason¬ 
able profit, but will also increase the value (fertility) of 
the farm. The keeping of hens has always been looked 
upon as a side-issue of a doubtful character, and rightly 
too when managed in the slip-shod manner which is a 
characteristic of the unsuccessful poultry keeper. From 
the fact that millions of dollars’ worth of eggs were pro¬ 
eggs sold and the food consumed, showed a profit of 75 cents 
per hen. White Leghorn males were introduced, and the 
number of fowls was increased to 100. These crosses 
being more profitable, more Leghorn blood was introduced, 
and the flocks increased until they have become practically 
full-blood Silver Crested White Leghorn and number 600. 
This is the way in which nearly all great successful 
schemes are worked out. Necessity compels economy, 
thought and hard work, and allows no advance until ex¬ 
perience enough is gained to insure success. This man’s 
example is worthy of study. In an extremity, go to your 
wife, and with her look the situation squarely in the face. 
Let no misleading catch-phrase like, “ No special fitness 
for the business,” frighten you. Think, decide, begin in a 
small way, and then like Lige’s bull-dog, “ die,” but 
never “let go,” and success will be yours. Mr. Wyckoff 
cares so little for fancy poultry that when at the State Fair 
last fall, he forgot there was a poultry exhibit until his 
attention was called to it. He is “in it” for the dollars, 
and the following record shows they are there : 
HeD8. average number.BOO 
Eggs each, average..IBS 
Price per doz., average 21 Ms cents 
Eggs, ret.$1,800 00 
Stock sold. 70 00 
Manure, at 20 centg bushel.. 270 00 
$2,140 00 
Cost of feed.$000 00 
Labor, 12 months at $30. 8?0 00 
Interest. 5 p. c. on $1,000_ so 00 
Net profit. 1,070 00 
$2,140 00 
A Business that Pays $30 per Month, 
and 105 per cent interest on the investment cannot be 
called a side issue. There is no “ patent ” on the means to 
success. Only the carefulness, regularity and thought 
The hen herself is an Important factor, and considerable 
attention has been given to the breeding of a producing 
type and the result has been to discard the standar 1 first- 
premium style. 
Egg Type and Scratch Type. 
One hundred pullets, hatched at one time and raised to¬ 
gether, were placed in one house, and when one laid, she 
was taken out. This was continued until there were 50 in 
each house. A critical examination showed that nearly 
all that were laying were of the No. 1 type—see Fig. 54- 
while those that were still unproductive resembled in 
shape and appearance No.2—see Fig 55—which is a longer- 
legged, ungainly, slim-bodied hen, that spends her time 
looking for something to get scared at. A record of the 
two flocks showed a difference of 20 per cent in the num¬ 
ber of eggs laid. No. 1 kept laying until nearly denuded 
of feathers, and finished moulting and began laying 
quicker than No. 2. A short-legged, deep-bodied, full¬ 
breasted, wedge shaped, large-combed hen, with a quiet 
disposition, has capacity to consume large quantities of 
food, and return eggs instead of noise and flutter. Mr. W 
is confident that his flock, grown from selected mothers, 
will average 200 eggs each for 1891. The 20 per cent ad¬ 
vance already obtained makes a difference of one dollar 
each in the two flocks. There are “ families ” of butter 
cows among the Jerseys, and some day there will be “egg 
hens ” among the already famous Leghorns. One of these 
improved hens placed in the hands of one ignorant of feed¬ 
ing principles, would be compelled to descend to a level with 
the rest of his flock from lack of a well-balanced ration. 
THE “EGG TYPE.” BUILT FOR LAYING. Fig. 54. THE “SCRATCHER TYPE.” BUILT FOR “GETTING SCARED.” Fig 55. 
duced with the high-priced grain of foreign countries, 
and imported to this country until McKinley came to the 
rescue, I claim that there should be a good profit in eggs. 
On a farm of 75 acres it will be hardly possible to grow 
all the supplies needed for 600 hens, and the average 
family. Probably, 1,000 bushels of grain, all the skim- 
milk obtained from six cows, and vegetable food from 
several acres, will be consumed by that number of hens. 
Out of all this fertility but little will be sold, there being 
scarcely half a cent’s worth in a dozen eggs.—[? Eds.] Here 
is a remedy for depression The business requires a com¬ 
paratively small amount of capital, and is a healthful and 
pleasing occupation for both sexes, who are unable to do 
heavy muscular work. A visit to the henneries of C. H. 
Wyckoff, Groton, N. Y., reveals the fact that it is also a 
business which can be made to take the time of the 
quickest, smartest and healthiest man alive, and reward 
him a hundred-fold. 
How This Hennery Was Hatched. 
As a “ bit of history ” which has a point to it may be in¬ 
teresting, I will give a few facts in regard to the com¬ 
mencement of this plant, which is now the most profitable 
one in this country where eggs for table use only are 
sought. Six years ago the farm was bought and dairying 
begun. Capital was scarce and the buildings poor. The 
profits the first year were not enough to warrant expendi¬ 
ture, and how were the cows to be kept warm ? Eighteen 
Plymouth Rocks had wandered at their own sweet will, 
ruining the garden and the owner’s patience. He told the 
wife that the next season they should be confined or sold. 
An earnest consultation with her resulted in their being 
retained, confined to a house and yard, and a record of the 
necessary for success in other branches are required. Mr. 
Wyckoff is quiet In manner, and a stranger, who wished 
to go through the buildings, would be invited to discard 
any red scarf or bright colored clothing, and requested to 
move very carefully. Why? It has been proved that any 
unusual flutter or excitement affects the number of eggs 
laid the next day—a loss of 25 eggs at three cents each is 
too much. He is also a close observer, frequently weigh¬ 
ing some of the flock, and noting their condition, it being 
essential that the hen shall be kept in the “pink of condi¬ 
tion” for the highest profit. Everything is kept clean, 
and all possible wants of the hen are regularly supplied, 
so that she will not be delayed by want of any egg element. 
Due regard to sanitary conditions, proper food and drink, 
combined with regularity and common sense are his rem¬ 
edies or rather preventives of diseases of all kinds. He 
rarely has a sick hen, and raises a large percentage of his 
chickens. By the use of Incubators a larger percentage of 
healthy chickens are hatched than with hens, and the 
brooders grow them faster, they being perfectly free from 
vermin and gapes, exposure to changes of temperature, 
accident and unsuitable food. 
The houses are six in number, and have a partition 
through the center, each end being sufficient for 50 hens. 
Long yards the width of the building are attached to the 
house on both sides, thus giving one yard for each flock. 
The hens are never let out of the house and yards, and are 
confined to the house as soon as cold fall rains commence. 
Mr. W. stated that they had never seen snow. A cold 
hen never lays, and “ hemlock lumber is cheaper than 
food.” There will always be a falling off in the eggs in 
cold weather, if the hens are allowed to get their feet wet. 
Egg Foods and Egg Production. 
The egg shell is largely carbonate and phosphate of lime, 
while the edible portion is composed of 74 6 per cent of 
water, 12.5 per cent of albuminoids, 10 per cent of fat, and 
9 per cent of ash. This is the average of 80 eggs, analyzed 
at the Geneva Experiment Station. Milk and meat are 
largely albumen. The hen cannot elaborate lime and al¬ 
bumen from fat or starchy food, which Is chiefly valuable 
for the warmth it furnishes: hence corn is a poor food, 
and milk, meat and shell are very essential for egg produc¬ 
tion. When the hens are laying large quantities of eggs 
the shell boxes will soon be emptied, but they are scarcely 
touched at other times. Some prominent writers have 
written much against the expense of oyster, clam, and sea 
shells, claiming they only served the purpose of “ grit or 
grinders,” which could be furnished much cheaper, and 
that the lime in the egg shell came from other sources; but 
when the attendant who cleans the eggs, can tell by the 
number of eggs brought in and the thinness of the shell 
that the boxes are empty without going to. look, it seems 
as if these writers must be mistaken. Eggs differ in 
quality and appearance in accordance with the nature of 
the food. Cotton seed meal in excess gives an egg a week- 
old taste that is disgusting. Onions give a rank taste. 
Too much clover hay and a bad-colored lot of sea shells 
spoil the beautiful white of the egg shells. Wealthy city 
people have nothing to do but cultivate a critical appetite, 
and are slaves to it. The guaranteed, fresh, large, rich, 
white and clean eggs of this hennery are now 
selling for 60 cents per dozen in the city. Candy- 
makers are making trials of them for use in the 
making of the finest candies. The fowls are fed on 
