ve ae y oe ag Te aga ga ey eae Caan Kage tis F (es ee wee ret % =e ee Pema nin aga ee La od — ee 0 aang, Tt oS Caray ye em se ee ene Pk eR ee spout nesesm Sipe se Le ie ‘STIMOd OLLVISV WO dNowy il | | N ! | ‘USNOH-AULTNOT F VINOLOIA NAHAS THE AMERICAN POULTERER’S COMPANION. A Practical Greatise ON THE BREEDING, REARING, AND GENERAL MANAGEMENT OF VARIOUS SPECIES OF DOMESTIC POULTRY. ILLUSTRATED WITH PORTRAITS OF FOWLS, MOSTLY TAKEN FROM LIFE; POULTRY-HOUSES, COOPS, NESTS, FEEDING-HOPPERS, &ec., &¢., &e. A NEW EDITION, ENLARGED AND IMPROVED. BY CN. BEMENT. NEW YORK: HARPER & BROTHERS, PUBLISHERS, FRANKLIN SQUARE. 1856. Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty-six, by HARPER & BROTHERS, in the Clerk’s Office of the District Court of the Southern District of New York. Pa, Ee ie ae Ch. In laying before the public this new, enlarged, and much improved edi- tion of the ‘ American Poulterer’s Companion,” the author deems it necessary and not out of place to offer a few remarks regarding the undertaking. The work was first commenced in consequence of the urgent solicitation of nu- merous friends, who professed to think that I was well qualified for the task, and an authority upon which reliance could be placed, from the fact that the main portion of my lifetime had been devoted to the subject of poultry ; for from my earliest youth I have taken great delight in studying, compar- ing, and admiring our numerous varieties of domestic fowls, which tend so much to enliven and adorn our farm-yards. Impressed for a long time with the belief that poultry, under proper man- agement, might be made as profitable, according to the capital invested, as any other branch of industry properly connected to farming; and with the view of satisfying myself on that point, I kept an accurate account of ex- penses and income, and found, on footing up the account, my previous opin- ion confirmed. From this register of results I have been enabled to draw such observations as I hope may be found correct and useful to such as seek information on the subject. It is a common saying, that if we would sit down and write that which we have practically learned upon almost any subject, the information imparted could scarcely fail of being useful. Just so far my ambition extends. Nor is the world entirely without need of advice on this subject, notwithstanding its antiquity and the multitude of counselors. Of this fact I have had am- vill PREFACE. ple proof in my numerous visits to various parts of this country, where | have found, in too many instances, that a sufficiency of poultry could not be raised for the use of the family, notwithstanding large numbers were kept, in consequence of the want of care and attention in supplying them with proper food and shelter. And many have houses and yards for their poultry. who, in the use of them, are only guided by random suggestions or unwise examples of their neighbors. ‘They follow in the old beaten track, and, per- haps, even indulge a prejudice against all written instructions which lead them to change their course. To such I would recommend this work, as unfolding no gigantic projects, indulging in no useless theories, tempting to no rash experiments, but exhibiting plainly, practically, and profitably, the best mode for the management of poultry. With this view I undertook the pleasing and delightful task. Although my labors are humble, I hope they will not be the less useful. I have not the vanity to suppose that I have excelled in every thing, but I fondly hope that the path may be render- ed more distinct and smooth for future progress. Ié is now more than eleven years since the “ American Poulterer’s Companion” was first published. It was the pioneer of American works devoted to poultry, and has passed through several editions. When I com- menced it, very little attention had been paid to the rearing of poultry. The profits arising from fowls were generally considered too insignificant to enter into the calculations of the farmer; and, consequently, the improvement of poultry was pretty much neglected in this country. In fact, many farmers considered them rather a nuisance, and “ cost more than they come to.” To be sure, there were a few connoisseurs who had imported some Game and Dorking fowls; but beyond that I have no reliable information. More at- tention had probably been paid to the Game than any other breed. Occa- sionally some Malay fowls were brought in our merchant ships, and found their way into the country, which very much improved the size of the com- mon farm-yard fowl. The object of rearing poultry and eggs for market may appear to some but a trifling concern; but a glance at the poultry statistics in the closing chap- PREFACE. ix ter of this volume will probably surprise and astonish many who had paid little or no attention to the amount consumed, or been in the habit of reflect- ing on the various items that go to swell our agricultural prosperity. In my endeavors to keep pace with the improvements of the age, I have been actuated by the most liberal views in obtaining the best and most reliable information that could be obtained on the subject, suited to the prac- tical breeder as well as to the amateur or novice. Among the novelties of the age is the excitement that has been manifested within a few years, in this country and Europe, on the subject of improved breeds of poultry. ‘‘ It has had the effect of calling attention to the subject,” say the editors of the American Agriculturist, ‘not only in the different breeds of fowls, but te the care and general management of them, and much good will arise from it. It has awakened public attention to the true value of poultry as an article of domestic stock, or creatures of sufficient merit and beauty in themselves to render them worth attention beyond the common fowls of the barn-yard. The extravagances, however, which have grown out of it, have afforded the lovers of fun not a few occasions for jest and merri- ment; for not a few of our notable savans in business and professional fame became as much absorbed with this branch of research as they would have been previously in matters out of which fortunes were to be made. Posi- tively it was ungenerous to laugh at them for this new type of human char- acter. Thousands, as notable as they are, have evinced, in relation to other matters, similar gushing impulses. Rarely does a year roll round and pass away without leaving on its tombstone some corresponding inscription of a new-fledged zeal that marked its authors for unenviable notoriety.” Iivery one who directs his thoughts to the subject, will at once acknowl- edge that poultry are just as capable of improvement as any other farm- stock, by breeding from selected specimens, and the beneficial results arising from this attention to superior parentage are already very marked. From my own experience these facts are very apparent, and no one conversant with poultry can attend our markets without seeing evidences of great im- provement. Many specimens show increased compactness, roundness, and x PREFACE. symmetry ; shorter leg, clean head and neck, fuller and closer feathers, etc. ; still much remains to be accomplished. For information how this fundies improvement is to be achieved—for authority deciding what are the defects to be avoided, and the excellences to be arrived at—for sound practical di- rectio#gin management—for accurate particulars of the good and bad char- acteristics of varieties, and for information on other points, all naturally turn to works published relative to poultry. Now we all know that no one has sought such aid without, in a measure, being disappointed. To remedy this defect, as near as possible, is the object of this work. In preparing this volume, no expense has been spared in the embellish- ments, as the best artists have been employed. Some of the spirited and lifelike portraits on wood were drawn by Mr. K. Van Zandt, of Albany, from living specimens in possession of the author. I hope, therefore, to merit the approbation of the public, and trust the work, in this new form and dress, will be favorably received, and found to combine the utmost economy and utility, united at the same time with elegance and the facility of obtaining the desired end. In no other work, I believe, can be found so many portraits of fowls, and other embellishments. In short, my object and aim in this volume has been to furnish a full, authentic, and reliable work, adapted to meet the demand growing out of the interest recently manifested on the subject. And in the hope that it will serve to diffuse more widely reliable information in respect to the very important subject on which it treats, prove a welcome and valuable acquisition to the libraries of practical men, be found amusing and instructive to the young, and successful with the old and judicious, | make my bow, and intrust it to the public. C. N. Bement. CONTENTS CHAPTER I. GENERAL VIEWS: DOMESTIC POULTRY. Whorcevor the COCK. dee! soya ae nates 83" | aa yinle ss bee Usa ee tees er cee ad ieee @horce ob the Hem csr deestesees saceeelekara 34: |yRecundity co. 9 cen cle eae ocies eoe anaemia Selectinesand Breede 3) 5.20.0 es B4 AP rofits ill eencuumercieduseessesiscay cx sasceemnneae MSMAGEMIENG sense kel adnan caauinne ce awe. BD | OO oi. cae en peeeeh sec shen ase omen aaa CHAPTER II. POULTRY-HOUSES. Victoria’s Poultry-house ............ CA AE: 47 | Browne’s Poultry-howse .......5.....00. 2.200. ae Lord Penryn’s Poultry-house................... 47 | New York Poultry-house 2.2500. 2.02. sae Mowhbray’s Poultry-house....:.........0.2:..0+0: 48 | Rustic Poultyyshousess): 3.50. sc.-c.segscee eee scotch Poultry house oo. soii so eaten ee anites: 49 | Poor Man’s Poultry-house...................0000+ Octagon Poultry-house 4) ss445.:2:scseeeese e505: 50 | Rhode Island Poultry-house.............. vor ades Our: own Poultry-house....4.3....8ok et. 51 | Virginia Poultryshouse:..........0:2-se000c0e0 ee: Ornamental Rustic Poultry-house.............. 53 | Van Nuxen’s Poultry-house.................068+ CWottager’s, Poultry-house....050.....6-0-..2.--.-0 54 | Cheap. Poultry-house.2:...........0...ccsseccseeee Haney~Poultty-nouse:.ic5 socuc.sceuauea konto. os 55 Duck Houser: (1a ears coer raconcunecun neces CHAPTER III. ACCESSORIES TO THE POULTRY-HOUSE. Blans/fOryNestsa scat. di socees cad uses ule GG PNGStUB casi ceticn. desi cde cc ccoe. asa, cee eee Wicker-workeNesteriee wun anit el slik sella 68) (heeding Eloppers) ic. s.22)eae.c eee eee eee Cheap Nests....:...... PMB EER Mice s/s asker ate 68 | Double Feeding Hopper...............c..c..eneee Siva; NeStsiamperee Men RRC Cl sesa sacl sou 68)| Scotch Weeding Fountain................00.-1-05 @urious Nestens) iy RIAN Rs 8 bo Fi G91) SelBeeding Hoppers... 0:08... +s 4.0. eveeere Secret Nests....... Mea rai De ats nae G9) Stool Beeding Hopper. j.cu::s.s.0:-0 00-9. Barrel Coopeiinc es AAT aoe tae Golerfeer heeding Moppersce-c.7...2.<. +. .seemece Margie Coops ane aren eel icy (. neaetpenian eae Gorebeedime Troughs se esse camniees tide d eae eee nelishy Cooperate se aeente als vas Seo deel) MOM eUGeT, OUMtATMS pir ctreneae weal ntone diss sacaen tenes Wlose Cooney Hue ls tec 4) Uy ane LK OUNGATINNS,« «claccueatiepeliac seas oe ese mene Rent Coopsa.. i eve ya ieee: Wie sid SHES OLELE H OUMGCALID YY siin's aise «vied bn Veeatete aeumeemeee xii CONTENTS. CHAPTER IV. WILD FOWL. Sonnerats Jungle WOW! .. 220. .2-s0..00ce+enee S2i tori tail HOw! sco. o. cc scten-t sete ee neneene fe 88 PeAMIVA eS UNTIC HOWL s..-o ke ck losseccesecoecess 85 | Fire-backed Jungle Fowl........./............. 5) Cemourdungle Howl. si... 06 6. o.0..2s ce oe Si Australian duncle Howls). 1 se eee 91 re CHAPTER V. ASIATIC FOWLS. BVA PROM se eeu ital teaca ce caairanssresermerns Dompowanghaw Mow leicis.<).scctsn sat, -casanes sibeedes 104 Kulm Fowl........ REE ON Ja Mee velar siecee shee ese: Jor Praha WOWAS. 5. hesussse sessee cde. ccete deel yeas ill Soc lnmpP HOWL Ee ie aise Necker scccere wsemgeasange OMe w Shanghai Howl. ..... 2.2.05 <2 .ccsse--+06 4: 114 CHAPTER VI. FARM-YARD FOWLS. BEaHRC HOW erences sce 6.2. sjoceses ocosieesiseceeeeme 116 | Golden-spangled Hamburg... ................. 148 PDOoTAMa Te HOW! .c5.. 2... 0c0cocceceroonessetesees 121 | Golden-penciled Hamburg..................... 144 PATE TLOW e505. sic siesnosaseescieesseecenareceonss 123 | Silver-spangled Hamburg....................... 144 sucks County HOw! .........-s00.ecseecnseecnae iZoiespecimen’ Beather .o 340s .ss nese eee. 145 PSITACH PMO W sec sce ccectocwaseesecdenseumacisenes 150i Black Hamburo Kowl ii. ci. se eee 145 olor Cray) HOW) ).:..:.......cccescsecseossececess Pots antam “HOWler cscs ices ec sceLe a uae eeees 146 Frizzled Fowls.............. ai isbictoowtde ce cneaerer isovmolack Bantarie... 0c. cauert a: aeeeuny anaes 148 MMO AG. copes ss scene seis eis nnininsepiels Semone 134 | Java Bantam........ nigh oui Nah eyenteane es a 150 PEUUUIESS HOW scctsic.o0 +. o.ccesenoceeviccesee es coe [SGuNankin Bantam. ...22.essseceseess seen ceaeeeee 151 PUES HOW arn) isias's on isin anid eviesio’ sinloseen seen) Gone iSsiaseonight Bantam .-..,.).25.. sumaseceoede pee es sce 151 AeAHANTE OE OWS... onesie lnoacsduvalgstesiesintaseeis eee reeper Fowl: .4.2....0...cesipeadadeaseee ee eee 154 Silver-penciled Hamburg............-...sceseees 142) PPaduan Howl :::.....-:.... .0.csu. cotenendorse tear cere 169 Orisp-teathered HOw! co ..0....eceis ese) cythee 166 | Serai Taook, or Sultan’s Fowl................. 172 CHAPTER VIII. INCUBATION. 7 PATA CIAL TIAL CMATIG 40/05. cio seine eget pledeaicinee «a 178 | Mr. Cantelo’s Hydro-incubator ..............- 185 Reaumur’s Hatching Apparatus.............. 179 | American Egg-hatching Machine............ 186 Bonnemain’s Incubator .........,.ccccceseeeeee 1:80} |/Manasi’ssacnbbator is... .2scnen keene ameter 186 dhe Potolokian .............-:.35 Beg oti be cbe 184 | Scientific Hatching Machine.................. 187 CONTENTS. xili CHAPTER IX. FATTENING POULTRY. Wingate’s Method.................-.-+46- oy det 189 | Feeding-houses................4.. Rleaaee eRe 189 CHAPTER X. _ KILLING AND PREPARING FOR MARKET. Pe OMEOUNTY 0h ee ce.e nen sen eae ee L921 Preserving boultryes: (10... sane, meee 192 CHAPTER XI. DISEASES OF POULTRY. PAD ODIG RG esis sybian db abe ss cose OMe Aihara nt 193:| Intlammationiiecssesasecese she se sue eee 199 WETIO Osea crests scsaessea lineata seccscdedeee ss sae 194") Diarrhea. iv (eee ens dss eise sl cst ean ed O Baral ysisyo4.00. Jupeduuuicnsucnwensdlism Saute 194:| Costivenesssiii¢. sdasiaemeees, cca eh ae 200 Cartan eeu tiniathwoniowiledssoeoeste 195}} Weoss of Heathers: suse seunss) aiearse seer 200 GAMES Mantes bnew ob ota one mee ne ae 195.) Hating their Meathers:3222.05;...-2052 essen 200 LET ge OO AAA ere RAR BERL OUI A Sit 196:| White. Combio-sacsnesaaeania ca cceukc ee ee 201 JRO DEGRSREE Chaise scrule Ge ABBE CIE MARR A ASH cas L9G) Vermin ss). Veen ene nereet on ee tjonese seeeie 201 Consnnip plone es 2. Cuainsen teen nana 198) Rheumatisna, se etamesecsec ses. clacecencoe 202 Crop DOUG. te. ss oes es elk ecep enemas 198s) ating themaeese.-.eecmese aces cede ieee 202 CHAPTER XII. TURKEYS. % American Wild Wurkey..s...cccs-cossec cence: 203 | Honduras Turkey ..025).2..7ccesst-ace sn eeteneee 219 Womesitelarkeyie.ccocevacviecesos -aseeeae 99 Piose) Coops gt sian eee eee idee hic nas sace nen Mls} Groupies Cochins) cesses. cc, eooetaeee 102 ISOM OOP iatenoenugee sence stems Cae cnide lactase se (24). Yellowmisait COchins sj cenceesusse ss ccoseeeet 104 Cheap, Feeding, Hopper ciersescecss4.a.04-00 +000 G3 SMAI a OWLS y Letectons Soletiosasoeenins Steves tence 105 Wouble Feeding Hopper. .ce-..-.5 2+ --. sree (4) 'Groupror Brahma) Powls....2.-. 5.0.5... 1s.s9de5~ 109 Xvi LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. PAGE t PAGE Pavtem onanchat Een. io) ces. es. oscueiidac. 114) Bonmemanmmrs Incubator... ...0200.-.605-<0022 180 Shawl-necked Game Cock.......... Pe Ii“ikeaumur’s Artificial Mother: 2:20. .).2.5. 02 182 Wonrmnigue Cock oi. ieee tecwe nse. Ginndsyten cane 122 | American Egg-hatching Machine............ 186 Dominique specimen Feather................. LOMA NA ANTEC OV) 26. 22 ce disci setosie mee meta ial alse 204 ROMP HOLMIOTIAM OS! aces cstecaitoragd enlenatter once LZepWomestic Turkey vc .iccse..cscncessseenees 209, 215 Bucks County Cock and Hen................. 129 iblonduras ‘Turkey .....:-3.%-00. 0: Bae ameter 219 - OsrickuOockrand Hen io. cve.. 5 os ssdae ss ISO; sBrush eburkey....1 3.00.0. sseee cooky 220, 221 Bolton GraysCock and Hens....:....22....42-. ACR CACOCKS. 6.00. ak od asp acis hy « sb esasonaheemncedeas 223 Bolton Gray specimen Feather ............... Sa Guinea Een) yoo. 5. cates wate eauee ane nue eee eee eecee 226 IZA MUBIOWAS: 28s... 2 stone ce sce veo ve bles ocetonens ligomm@rested Guinea Hem. (cs cssece een tec saececeeee 228 Rea area acisos sla sts sc aces © yolenlesternete MOAB VIM CD SWATN a cioa.i2 cfohisen wos see naasieeue ecrone uses 230 ASNT ESS MMIOWAS Gia siceise seee enoe clase eaenceeen te FOMPN VIDE SWAN soc sa cede are Meeslssesseecieea cae 232 Spanish OCk ang HEN ..)...2.9.405:-dede sarees MOM LACK SWalliosossdai'c arene sicesccvelseslsncineensdaguis 234 EMA DUEL MBOWIS.05 1.5. .ea sec se scec ene catdetaae as ae american WVAILd GOOSC ....:c.cc--1.-0-.ssec8see 236 Hamburg specimen Feather................:.- NE SAO OMESTIC GOOSEssscnds. ced acace nce secs seu ree 240 Silver-spangled specimen Feather........... 1Aeymbden Geese .. 226.02. se cesscecseber Peace tens ne 249 Be AMGAMIAS Bete ceca vies s/s cis we nweie, cele Sus eR vopaeies IA Giletrican (GOOSE).. sess. ocuae teas onan Rekasecn 252 BAECS ATIPATAS vig. clec's v<0)5 a0 00 ew'cie vo ngadececesad ke HAS. Chinese ‘Goose... 0.50.02. dads nee cee tee eee 255, 256 MENA ESAMMGANS. sss10.2 «nn coiscie saa ebiacabadueronns 150) Barnacle Goose. i.e io sivcea cs swesesocsae sec: 257 Peprent ANtAMS........2.0-.ar- <2. ateesiaaren da Moy p tian GOOSe <<. «ajjances sceko setts semen cee 260 @reeper or Dwarf Howls.....0....s.pee: aseues bad Mallard Ducks ces flee isos sdacaltty natal tamisinreiy 265 WKESECCVBOWIS ...r-005 +000 -a+ce sacwiocegasemeneuaan MPS SMUSK DUCK 5.0 sade cumendanouilwdeinsaye ocueeee acter 268 Black Poland Wow|s. .. ..... «00s simasiesseetoeen cee GOs) Crested Deke csstadacs stews sonst ciqamlae. eae sec 276 Golden-crested Fowl... o.1.:...-becer stoomehneni IG3)| Crested CurassOw g:2. 8 dicsacoe suede ve edscies ac 290 pilver-crested HOw! .........../cnccscentadeeeen 164 | Galeated Curassow.....2..2.200+200beecoeeees «ae 291 Sota OWISE ss 56.4 scceenvcn cas deeecemaeceree 165 | Capercaillie, or Cock of the Wood.......... 292 @risp-feathered, Fowls....-.....:.-ssessocsseese HG Gy uted GXrOUSe ei. grersecnecracserner sce cms este 294 Silver-spangled Crested Fowls................ NGSs Pheasant eyes co.cc. sncoccnencceeuenee nem acemecme ss 296 SEIN AOC OKPE OWIS: