THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
April 6 
254 
SOME CHARACTERISTICS OF FOWLS 
Not one of the least among the many 
interesting surprises that Nature is ever 
preparing for us practical workers, is 
that resulting from the study of the in¬ 
dividual characteristics of our domestic 
fowls, and especially their steady re¬ 
sistance—along certain lines—to our ef¬ 
forts at changing special traits to meet 
our fancied needs. Their habits we can 
in time modify, but their natures re¬ 
main the same, and when we have 
reached a certain point the halt is cried. 
If we persist the life of the bird is for¬ 
feited. It is of first importance to rea¬ 
lize at the outset the leading peculiari¬ 
ties—as a class—of the fowl we handle; 
that we may conform to them on all 
vital points, and avoid those things that 
are hurtful. On some of them, however, 
there seems no diversity of opinion. It 
is generally conceded, I believe, that a 
turkey will not live if yarded; that free 
range is an absolute necessity to its very 
existence. Also, that with a hen exer¬ 
cise and eggs cannot be successfully 
divorced. When ducks come under dis¬ 
cussion there appears an odd uncer¬ 
tainty about many things, especially as 
to their hardiness, some claiming that 
they will stand poorer housing and se¬ 
verer cold than any variety of our fea¬ 
thered family, and that their young will 
survive almost any amount of neglect, 
while others hold that there is no fowl 
so delicate and hard to raise as a duck, 
especially the Pekin. The facts appear 
to be that those who consicfer the bird 
delicate have infringed, probably unwit¬ 
tingly, on the laws governing their seat 
of life; while those who have found the 
bird hardy have cared for it along safe 
lines. I will explain a few points. 
A duck does not “dump around” like 
a hen or a turkey when sick. It is to all 
outward appearances well, or it is dead. 
There is small opportunity for doctor¬ 
ing. Mistakes show up, not in a debili¬ 
tated fiock, but in the speedy return to 
Mother Earth of practically the whole 
business. Their care is a much simpler 
matter than that of hens, but it does 
not admit of the same latitude of treat¬ 
ment. To illustrate: I had a fiock of 10 
ducks last Winter housed in a very cold 
but dry, clean, well-ventilated shed. The 
thermometer ranged from 15 to 38 de¬ 
grees below zero; except in blizzai’ds, 
they were out on the snow all day, 
squatting much of the time, their toes 
snugly tucked up under their wings. 
These birds were a late hatch (July), 
but they began laying in that inclement 
place in January! Their food was one- 
half cornmeal, one-half ground peas and 
oats, one-tenth beef scrap and one-third 
the entire bulk of the grain was vege¬ 
tables (in the morning chopped sweet 
apples, at night steeped clover) the mix¬ 
ing and drinking water warmed. We 
fed what they ate and drank up clean. 
At noon gave about a half pint of shelled 
corn. A pan of grit or coal ashes was 
always at hand. Had the birds been 
shut up in a damp, dirty, ill-ventilated 
place and their food left for them to 
gorge and to pick at, not many would 
have survived till Spring to tell the tale. 
The other fiock of 70 had the same food 
and care, but warmer sleeping quarters. 
All have wintered unusually well. We 
have had a rather interesting develop¬ 
ment regarding warm food. Two years 
ago a fiock of 70 consumed daily a cold 
mash of 26 quarts of grain; this Winter 
80 birds only ate 21 quarts. 
The breeding fiock is fed in above pro¬ 
portions the entire year; it has free 
range and generous shade is provided. 
Part of the time they are given wheat 
bran instead of the oats. I have tried 
several methods in feeding, but the 
above has furnished the best results. A 
lighted lantern is always hung at night 
in their bedroom, and the slightest 
cause for fright avoided at all times. 
They are the most timid class of birds 
in our feathered family, f. e. wheeler. 
Cross-bred Fowl we have made up as 
follows: I took White Wyandotte cocks and 
crossed them with R. C. White Leghorn 
hens; they are fine; fair size and splendid 
layers. C. A. B. 
La Paz, Ind. 
A Connecticut Hen Record. 
On January 1, 1900, I started with 100 
Plymouth Rock hens. 'ITiey gave me 
four eggs the first day; the following is 
the year’s egg record: January, 516; 
February, 831; March, 1,820; April, 1,- 
732; May, 1,498; June, 1,397; July, 1,574; 
August, 1,048; September, 494; October, 
322; November, 102; December, 230; 
making 11,564 eggs for the whole year; 
330 chickens were put out in the yard, ol 
which I lost about 25 during the Sum¬ 
mer, three or four through sickness, the 
others by accident. Cash received for 
eggs was $180.97; for chickens, $102.87; 
for fowls, $33.25; feathers, $2; fertilizer 
valued at $10; making a total of $329.09. 
The feed bill, including animal meal, 
oyster shells, etc., was $114.47; deducted 
from the cash received gives $214.62 
clear profit for the year 1900. 
January 1, 1901, found my stock in 
good condition, having picked out from 
the chickens the best pullets in the 
early Fall. My fiock of 100 this year is 
far better than it was one year ago. 1 
give them warm breakfasts of four 
quarts mashed potatoes, three quarts 
bran, three quarts middlings, quart 
cornmeal, one tablespoonful each of ani¬ 
mal meal. When severely cold I add 
one teaspoonful per 12 hens of cay¬ 
enne pepper. At noon they are fed on 
some kind of greens; for supper whole 
corn (warmed). The hens were the in¬ 
cubators and broodei’S. During the Win¬ 
ter they have all the milk they can 
drink. I feel quite well pleased with the 
result of our 100 hens’ labors in one 
year, and am starting this year with 
new courage. On January 1, 1901, 19 
eggs were laid, 33 per day is about the 
average February 1. mrs. c. l. ii. 
Baltic, Conn. 
Consumption in Hens.— I read your ar¬ 
ticle on page 131, in the February 23 issue, 
entitled Consumption in Poultry, and was 
interested in it, but I did not see that you 
gave any remedy for it. Is there none? 
If there are only a few hens in a flock that 
have it, can it not be stopped so that it 
will not spread? Does it not affect the 
eggs? H. s. p. 
Millville, N. Y. 
There seems to be no remedy for con¬ 
sumption in fowls that is worth consider¬ 
ing. Any treatment would probably cost 
eoin or Shine, 
The station agent is on duty. On his 
exact communication of train orders 
depends thousands of lives, and millions 
of dollars in property, each day. In his 
haste he runs out in the rain or the snow 
hatless and unprotected. Then comes 
the sequel — bron¬ 
chitis, or some 
other disease of 
the respiratory or¬ 
gans. The most 
effective remedy 
for bronchial or 
pulmonary disease 
IS Doctor Pierce’s 
Golden Medical 
Discovery. Almo.st 
all remedies pre- 
Bcilbed for such 
diseases contain 
opium or some 
narcotic which 
soothes by stupe¬ 
faction. ” Golden 
Medical Discov¬ 
ery ” contains 
neither narcotics 
nor alcohol. It 
stops coughs by 
curing their cause. 
It heals weak 
lungs, builds up 
wasted tissues, and 
promotes the 
health of every or¬ 
gan of the body. 
'< I am a railroad 
agent,” writes I. B. 
Staples, Esq., of Barclay, Osage County, Kans., 
«and four years ago my work keeping me in a 
warm room and stepping out frequently into 
the cold air gave me bronchitis, which became 
chronic and deep-seated. Doctors failed to 
reach my case and advised me to try a higher 
air, but, fortunately for me, a friend advised me 
to try Dr. Pierce’s medicines. I commenced 
taking your ‘Golden Medical Discovery,’ and 
by the (im^ I had taken the first bottle I was 
better, ata^ after taking four bottles my cough 
was cntiMly gone. I nave found no necessity 
for seeking another climate. ” 
Dr. Pierca’g Pleasant Pellets regulate 
the stomach, liver and bowels. 
inoi e than the fowls are worth, and the best 
ihiiig to do with hens afflicted with this 
disease would be to kill them at once, and 
l)urn their bodies. It is not known that 
Die disease would affect the eggs. The 
chances are, however, that it would. While 
it has hot been demonstrated yet that the 
germ of fowl consumption will develop In 
the human system, it is unwise to try any 
experiments, and, therefore, we would not 
advise anyone to eat eggs from such hens. 
Best Antiseptic Known, 
Cures in Man 
Rheumatism, cramps, strains, 
sprains, lameness, and all aches. 
For Your Horse 
Cures cuts, kicks, bruises; kills 
a spavin, curb or splint; dispels 
lameness. 
Fiimily size, 25 cents. Horse size, 50 cents 
and $ 1 . 00 . Ask your dealer or druggist for it. 
Prepared by Dr. Earl S. Sloan, Bo.ston, Mass. 
0 GET MORE EGGS 
Your Hens NustBe 
Kept Warm and Dry 
USE • 
NEPONSET 
RED 
ROPE ROOFING 
To keep out wind, frost, rain and snow 
from Fowl-Houses there’s no better 
low-cost roofing and siding than 
“Neponset.” Contains no tar. Given 
an occasional coat of paint it will last 
for years. Costs about a cent per square 
foot. Sold by dealers in rolls of 100 , 250 
and 500 square feet respectively, each 
roll containing necessary tin caps and 
nails. For a permanent roofing and 
siding use 
Paroid Ready Roofing. 
Postal brings Booklet, samples of Neponset” 
and ”Paroid," also iianie of nearest dealer. 
F. W. Bird&Soa, East Walpole, Mass.;Chicago, III. 
yFNfllFlIlH Kills bice, Ticks, Miles, Pleas, Etc., 
OQ all kiuda ot animals and poultry. Utven 
internally U drives out worms. Cores all cole, wounds, sores, etc. 
Non-potoonons. Endorsed by leading veterinarlsof. “Veterinary Ad- 
vlser“ free. Zenner Disinfectant Vo. 100 Bates SU Detroit, Blicb. 
ii 
FUMA 
Prairie Dogs, 
' Woodchucks, Gophers 
and Grain Insects. 
“ The wheels of the 
Gods grind slow but 
exceeding small.” 80 the weevil, but you can stop 
Qjfijji, Bisulpliiile”.‘rraS 
£DWARD K. TAYLOR, Penn Yan, N. Y. 
rite 
Whole Egg 
is contained in green cut bone. E’ive pounds 
ol it increases laying more than a bushel of 
wheat. The only means of producing it 
a form not dangerous to chicks is the 
Stearns Bone Gutterm 
Best in all ways. Send for catalogue. 
E. C. STEARNS & CO., Box 20, Syracuse, N. Y. 
Fowls of W. & Bd. Kock, W. & Bn. Leg..W.WyaH.vars.. 
Kggsll & 1.50 26 . Stamps. Mrs.J.P.Helllngs,Dover,Del. 
■Dlancliard’s White Leghorns.—The leading 
strain of heavy layers. Eggs for batching from 
finest stock. Xll.clr.free. H.J. Blanchard,Groton,N.Y. 
H. H. Mohr, Quakertown, Pa., breeds 
all varieties thoroughbred P. Kocks, Wyandottes. 
Brahmas, Leghorns. Langshans, Cochins, Mlnoroas, 
Ham burgs. Eggs, 15, $1; 40, $2. Catalogue. 
s 
ILVER WYANDOTTES WANTED AT $8 EACH 
See Rural New-Yorker. March 30, page 2:f4. 
BEAVER HILL FARM, Beaver, Pa, 
TURKEYS 
Genuine M. Bronze. Buff I.eghorns, 
Buff P. Rocks. Also eggs. Circu¬ 
lar. S. J. B. DDNBAR, Elkhorn, Wls. 
'C'GGS for hatching, 6 cents each. First class stock. 
Rhode Island Reds, Brahmas, Hamburgs, and 
Rocks. W. Sherman. 25 Boulevard, Mtddletawn, R. I. 
f g% 0% ^ —Fertility guaranteed. By the sitting 
P or hundred. 23 varieties of prize-wln- 
ning land and water fowls. Big Cata¬ 
logue free. Our guarantee means something. 
PINK TREK FARM, Box T, Jamesburg, N. J 
% Varieties Choice Poultry, Eggs, Pigeons 
and Belgian Hares. All combined and Infor¬ 
mation In 60 page book, 10 cents. J. A. BKR- 
GKY, Telford, Pa. 
Wyandottes {210-egg strain), B. Bocks, S. C.W. 
’'* • Leghorns, bred from stock which won at N. Y. 
and Boston 1899 and 1900. D. Brahmas and Pekin 
Ducks won in 1898. Eggs, 15, $2; 100. $5. Satisfaction 
guaranteed. D. H. COLT, Elmwood, Conn. 
BUY YOUR S. C. WHITE LEGHORN 
Eggs from us. Ours are noted for heavy laying. Eggs, 
fresh and fertile. $1.25 per 15; $2.00 per 30; $5 per 100. 
Low ex. rates. T. D. Goodwin, Columbia Station, O. 
50VARIETIES. 
1 breed fine poultry on one of the best equipped poultry 
fanns in the world. Send 8c in stamps for new 1901 B^k, 
telling all about 50 varieties, with special prlceson fowls 
•“dng*. B. H.QREIDER, Florin, Pa. 
llssskAL I on Hens and Chicks 
IIBain 10 Lies 64-page Book FREE. 
D. J. LAMBERT, Box 307, Apponaug, R. 1. 
0 You Keep Chickens 
Make IOO96 more. You want 
Wilson’s New Green Bone Shell CuHer 
Bend for circular and testimonial*. 
WILSON BROS., Sole Mfgrs., EASTON, PA. 
INCUBATORS 
Prom SS.OO Up. 
BROODERS FROM 13.80 UP. 
Free Catalogue. 
L. A. BANTA, Llgonler, Ind. 
IfICTOR 
W INCUBATORS 
Hatch every fertile egg. Simpleat, 
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hatcher. Honey back if not poaltivaly . 
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200-Egg Incubator 
for $ 12.00 
Perfect' in oonstrnotion and 
aotion. Hatches every fertile 
’egg. Write for oetalogne to-day. 
6E0. H. STAHL, Quincy, III. 
JSN>T THIS FAIR? , 
Tod get this Bantam Hatoher, fill It 
eggs and test tt tboronghly. If sattified I 
na $6 for It. It often 
1 chicki from 60 eggs. ( 
ieenta torCatalogDe No. *3 I 
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Bprlngfleld. Ohio. 
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moisture. Perfect hatchers. 60 -egg sue, 
$ 6 . Illustrated catalogueyrrr. 
STAR INCUBATOR, ^ ^ 
..JUBATOR 1 
38 Church Street, Bound Br 
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250 Poultry Pictures 
lllustratiog every phase of poultry raising and 
of matter telling how, when and 
whate That and much more is In our *^ProflU 
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MAUM anS^BRoSSlRS 
represent in their construction the best material, best work¬ 
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