Digitized by tine Internet Arciiive in 2010 with funding from University of British Columbia Library http://www.archive.org/details/henwifearbuOOarbu GAME. THE HENWIFE: Her Own Experience in Her Own Poultry- Yard. r.Y THE HON. MRS ARBUTHNOTT. TO WHICH IS ADDED THE HENWIFE'S LATER EXPERIENCE. XfNTH EDITION. EDINBURGH: THOMAS C. JACK, INDIA BUILDINGS. LONDON : SIMPKIN, MARSHALL, & CO. 1871. omu-i/^ I. (O^mt^y. gcbkatcb (by permission) TO 3IISS BURDETT COUTTS. CONTENTS. PAGE Introduction . . . . . XV Houses and Yards '2o Food ...... . 35 General Treatment 43 Hatching . . . . . . 59 Chickens ..... G<» Exhibition . . . . . . 75 Diseases ..... 87 Fattening . . . . . . 97 Breeds ..... 101 Dorking . . . . . . 102 Gkey Dorking .... 103 Silver Gkey DoRiaxG . 105 White Dorking .... 106 Brahma Pootka . . . . . 108 Malays ..... 115 Game ...... . 118 Scotch Grey .... 126 Spanish . . . . . 132 Go Laighs, or Scotch Dumi'irs . 139 Cochin . . . . . . Ml White Cochin .... 148 Partridge, &c. . . . . . ib. Silkies ..... 150 COXTEXTS. Breeds — continued Polish Bantam . Hamburghs . French Breeds . Cr£ve CffiUR La Fleche HOUDANS . Tdrkets . Wild American Turkey Geese Chinese Geese Embden Geese Ducks My Own Expeeience PAGE 152 154 160 163 ib. 166 167 170 175 177 179 ISO 181 191 THE HENWIFE'S LATER EXPERIENCE. Chickens and Ducklings .... 221 Diseases in Chickens ... 230 Young Stock ...... 234 Summer Ma.nagement . ' . . . 237 Preserving and Sale of Egg.s . . . 241 Exhibition ...... 245 Autumn Management ..... 252 Feeding ...... 258 French Poultry ..... 263 Houses ...... 267 LIST OF PLATES. Game ..... Frontispiece Silver Spangled Hamburgh PAGE 48 Buff Cochin .... 56 Grey Dorking . 104 Brahma Pootra .... 112 Spanish .... . 136 Golden Polish .... 152 Golden Pencilled Hamburgh . 160 WUd American Turkey 172 Rouen Drake . 180 LIST OF WOODCUTS. PAGE Ground Plan of Poultry-House . 26 Poultry-Houses . . . . . 27 Perch ...... . 30 Sitting-House . . . . . 32 Egg . 64 Eggs in Basket . . . . ■ 65 Weighing Apparatus .... . 78 Diagram of a Fowl — Points for Exhibition 86 Iron Hopper . . . . • . 183 Inchmartine Cottage and Poultry- Yards . 189 Laurel House ..... . 193 Moveable Yard-House .... 194 Moveable Glass Yard-House . . 195 Coop with Wire Range 197 Coop for Hens or Tiirkeys . 198 Wire Hen'Coop . . . . ■ 199 Hamper for Packing Eggs . 203 Willow Sitting-House .... 207 The Henwife's Owti Basket . 220 PREFACE TO THE SEVENTH EDITION. I PEEL that, in issuing this seventh edition of " The Henwife," some acknowledgment is more than due to those who have so kindly expressed themselves as pleased, and also benefited by the study of it. I thank them from my heart for their warm approval and encouragement. When, at the urgent request of friends, I consented to publish my notes and experience of poultry life, I little dreamt of the wide circulation they were to receive. With much fear and trembling I awaited the verdict of the public, and rejoiced PREFACE. indeed that it was favourable. Success cannot be foreseen or determined, but when it has been fairly and honestly striven for, and the utmost has been done to obtain it, it is gratifying. The pages I now send forth will, I hope, meet with approval. I have explained away some difficulties, and corrected mistakes ; also added new chapters. The descriptions of the new foreign breeds will doubtless be acceptable, as these are rapidly making their way into public favour, and suj^erior specimens may now be seen in almost every poultry-yard. The principal exhibitions encourage their introduction by grant- ing separate classes and prizes to them, just as in France the " Jardin d'Acclimatation," at its annual concours, gives medals to our Dorkings, game, and other home breeds. The advantages of public competition are understood, and as the love of poultry rearing is extending every day, and they are found to be, even on farms, pro- fitable stock, I hope to see them objects of in- PREFACE. terest to most colonial and continental agricul- turists. The antiquated idea that fowls on a farm did mischief to crops is now exploded. If the grain is deeply deposited (as it should be), they cannot, by scratching, get access to it ; besides, they greatly prefer worms and insects, and may thus be considered good friends to the farmer. Poultry will more than repay any little outlay expended upon them ; they will always command a mar- ket ; and when we see the immense quantity of eggs that are imported into our large towns, we ought to consider if our own farms could not supply our own wants. If it pays to rear poul- try for market in France, it must surely f)ay at home. It is computed that a million of eggs are consumed daily in London and its suburbs, and the proportion of these contributed by home farms is very small. This is not as it should be. I shall now take leave of my readers, in wish- ing them as much enjoyment in their poultry- PREFACE. yards as I have ever found in mine. With them are associated, in my mind, the happiest hours of my life. And although for a time I have deserted them, I still am, and must ever remain in heart, *'THE HEN WIFE." |ntr0bnclion. "How now. Dame Partlet, the hen?" Shakespeabe. I HAVE been often asked to publish a work on Poultry, and have complied, because I think I have no right to withhold any unit I may possess, from the sum of human knowledge. I also, naturally, desire to afford satisfaction to my friends; whUe any who are the reverse (if such there be) must admit that I fulfil for them the wish of the Patriarch of Uz : " 0 that mine enemy had written a book." INTRODUCTION. I think I am entitled, without egregious vanity, to deem my experience worthy of some claim to attention, as, during the last four years, I have gained upwards of 460 prizes, in Scotland and England, and personally super- intended the management of forty separate yards, in which have annually been hatched more than 1000 chickens. I began to breed poultry for amusement only, then for exhibition, and lastly, was glad to take the trouble to make it pay, and do not like my poultry yard less, because it is not a loss. All honour to the numerous writers on the subject. I pretend not to rival them. The field (like the world) is wide enough for all. A few portions of this work must necessarily treat of the same subjects as their's, although a good deal that is new, I trust, will be found, I am not a plagiarist. I desire to copy no one. I make no pretence to be scientific, but only very prac- INTRODUCTION. tical, and to tell wliat my experience has been ; and this is just what this little book is: viz., What I did, and how I did it. It is impossible to imagine any occupation more suited to a lady, living in the country, than that of poultry rearing. If she has any superfluous affection to bestow, let it be on her chicken-kind, and it will be returned cent per cent. The poultry yard supplies one of the most delicate descriptions of food with which man has provided himself. He accepts it from Nature's munificent hand as a great boon ; but he is not contented to keep it as he gets it : he improves upon the gift. Whoever desires to realise the measure of success he has attained in this, has simply to walk into next Birmingham show-room, and compare what he sees there^ with what he remembers in the old barn yards. INTRODUCTION. Indeed, a modern prize-bird almost merits the character which a Parisian waiter gave of a melon, when asked to pronounce whether it was a fruit or a vegetable. " Gentlemen," said he, '' a melon is neither; it is a work of art." The cost of poultry keeping is much overrated. To rear for the market only, would even give a profit. Exhibition is, doubtless, expensive ; but in some measure it pays itself, and the necessary outlay is much reduced by sales of eggs and fowls at high prices, when a reputation has been once established; and any intending exhibitor may take my word for it, that she (though per- haps of moderate means) may, without extra- vagance, snatch her harmless victories, invest herself with the blue riband of the poultry yard, and win her bloodless Solferinos. In these pages wiU be found figures as to the "Balance Sheet." I am aware that these can be made to prove anything. I can say, how- INTRODUCTION. ever, with a clear conscience, that mine are in- tended to be honest. I have not shrunk from giving them, any more than from expressing my own opinions on all points. I take this opportunity, how- ever, to thank those eminent breeders who have kindly furnished me with their experience, and whose letters, in my opinion, so much en- hance the value of this book. I have striven not to be dogmatical, and in a matter in which " much may be said on both sides," I wished to give all arguments fair play. To have done otherwise, would have been to forfeit the confidence of the reader, as well as to make a very daring infringe- ment on the prerogative of the " Editor of The Times" All success, then, to the poultry yard ! Are you a lover of nature? Come with me, and view with delighted gaze her chosen dyes. INTRODUCTION. Are you a utilitarian? Eejoice in sucti an increase of the people's food. Are you a philanthropist? Be grateful that yours has been the privilege to afford a possible pleasure to the poor man, to whom so many are impossible. Such we often find fond of poultry — no mean judges of it, and frequently success- ful in exhibition, A poor man's pleasure in victory is at least as great as that of his richer brother. Let him, then, have the field whereon to fight for it. Encourage village poultry shows, not only by your patronage, but also by your presence. A taste for such may save many from dissipation, and much evil ; no man can win poultry honours and haunt the tap- room too. For myself, I can truly say that, during the time I have reared poultry, I have ever found the pursuit to be " a labour of love," and (like virtue) "its own reward." I feel that, though INTRODUCTION. more tangible benefits had not fallen to my lot,. I can still look back on the hours spent among ray feathered pets with afifectionate gratitude. |0Mses nub ^uh. It is impossible to give special rules for poultry houses and yards, to suit all tastes and require- ments, without knowing the facility the ground possesses for such. My endeavour is to lay before the reader a few simple plans which may guide the intending poultry keeper, and be the means of insuring the comfort and well-being of the flock. I do not consider any one soil necessary for success in rearing poultry. Some think a chalk or gravel soil essential for Dorkings; but I have proved the fallacy of this opinion, by bringing up, during three years, many hundreds of these soi-disant delicate birds on the strong blue clay of the Carse of Gowrie — doubtless, 24 HOUSES AND YARDS. thoroughly drained, that system being well understood and universally practised by the farmers of the district. A coating of gravel and sand once a-year is all that is requisite to secure the necessary dryness in the runs. The houses and yards should have a south or south-west exposure, and (if possible) open into a grass park, to which the fowls can have daily access. The houses may be biult of stone and lime or brick; but I prefer wooden erections, as less close, and affording a freer circulation of air. The roof, however, in every case must be per- fectly waterproof, a pane of glass inserted in each door to admit light, and a few holes pierced to promote ventilation. Light, air, and sunshine are indispensable to the health of fowls — the floor of clay or gravel, well-beaten down, so as to be per- fectly hard and dry. For a cock and six hens, the house should not be less than from twelve to sixteen feet in height, and eight feet square ; the yards the width of the house, and fifteen feet lung, enclosed by posts and wire fencing (two- HOUSES AND YARDS. 25 inch mesli), eight feet high, boarded up two feet from the ground between the yards, to prevent the cocks fighting through the wire. This is the most dangerous of all warfare, as the birds injure themselves in the meshes, and (Dorkings espe- cially) are apt to tear their combs and toes in them. In each yard there should be a water-vessel, and a small, low lean-to shed, under which is the dust- bath — viz., a box, filled with dry ashes, or sand and lime rubbish. This shed also serves for shelter from rain and sun. It should be placed against the front of the hen-house, sloping to the front. A trap, a foot and a half square, must be cut iu the fencing round each yard, to admit of the fowls being let out to the grass park, and each house should open into its own yard, for the convenience of cleaning out, catching the fowls, &c. It is of advantage to poultry houses to be en suite, communicating with each other by doors, to allow them to be cleaned from end to end without the necessity of passing through the yards ; and there must be a trap from the house into the yard for the egress and ingress of the fowls at pleasure. I would recommend that all 26 HOUSES AND YARDS these traps be made with sliding panels which close, to prevent the fowls having access to the houses while the process of cleaning out is going on, and at all times it is requisite to have the means of shutting out the fowls from house or yard, as may be wished. The doors which con- nect house with house should be made to fasten on either side, to guard against the possibility of the different varieties meeting, when the keeper's attention may be engaged in performing any necessary duties in the house, such as arranging straw in the nests, collecting eggs, &c., (fig. 2). HS- 1. .4'ft 8/^ ■Sl « ^ I ' 1 Ground Plan of Poultry Uouses. HOUSES AND YARDS 29 To secure the safety of eggs, (which, in estab- lishments of mark, are apt to excite the cupidity of the covetous), each external door should be provided with a lock and key. Inferior manages are, of course, not so liable to this drawback; but I would say to all poultry keepers, Guard your fowls during night ; they are, perhaps, more easily "conveyed" than any other species of domestic animals. "Experto crede." During the winter months close all the traps from sunset to sunrise. My Scotch experience, at least, has shown me the advantage of this precaution; and past seasons have proved the climate of England to be quite as severe as that north of the Tweed. For this daily routine you must have con- fidence in your poultry attendants, and feel assured that the birds are admitted to their yards at an early hour in the morning. The only admissible furniture in a poultry house is a moveable perch, not higher than two feet from the ground, made in the form of trestles, of split larch, the bark left on, and uppermost, (fig. 3). If the perch is high, heavy birds are 30 HOUSES AND YARDS Kg. a Perch. very apt to be lamed in descending. The house being small, they drop perpendicularly from the roost, and so injure their feet ; hence the bumble foot of the Dorking. A small or smooth cylin- drical perch is not desirable. The fowls can- not take a firm hold of it; and it is certain to cause crooked breast-bones, a most grave defect. For the use of the hens, a few nests on the ground, divided from each other by strips of wood, are necessary ; but these are understood to be merely for the benefit of laying fowls, a sitting-house being indispensable in even a moderate establishment Where only one variety of fowl is kept, a very simple style of arrange- ment is required. A span-roofed house, covered with felt, or tarpauling coated with tar, a door to lock, moveable perch, a few nests, and trap, will HOUSES AND YARDS. 31 answer all needful purposes; this is supposing the fowls to have complete liberty; if shut up during any part of the day, they must have a yard such as I have already described. WTiere many kinds of poultry are desiderated, a much more extended system becomes imperative. Houses to suit their different peculiarities must be erected, in order to do justice to them all, and guarantee success in eacL Take, for example, the classes of Brahma Pootra and Cochins. These require no perch, preferring the floor of the house to any more elevated position ; but this must be well littered down with straw, as in a stable, and as regularly removed. A broad board covered with straw is sometimes substituted for a perch ; this must be a little elevated from the ground. I find, how- ever, that if there are nests, there the Cochins will roost, in spite of all attempts to make them do otherwise. A wire fence three feet high is quite sufficient to restrain these birds within bounds; they never attempt to fly over the divi- sions, or poach on their neighbour's grounds. If a tree can be enclosed in a poultry run, it forms 32 HOUSES AND YARDS a very agreeable object, and affords shelter to the fowls. On a warm sunny day they will always be found under the protecting shade of its branches, and half-buried in the holes they have scraped out, in which to roll and dust themselves. I will now describe a sitting-house, which may be made on a greater or lesser scale, (fig. 4). Fig. 4. Sitting-House. UO USES AND YARDS. 33 Indeed, where a great number of fowls is kept, more than one will be necessary. The interior should be fitted up with a row of nests ; in fact, a broad wooden shelf, divided into compartments a foot and a half square, covered over with a roof sloping to the front. The additional height at the back gives better ventilation to the sitting hens; and this has more to do with their health and comfort, and consequent good hatching, than most are aware of Generally speaking, sitting places are too close and confined, showing a marked difference, indeed, to those selected by the hens themselves if allowed freedom of choice. A sitting-house being a necessary evil in a poultry establishment, let us make it as comfort- able as possible to the poor hen during her retrdite. Each nest must have a folding flap in front, to secure the hen from any intrusion on the part of her neighboiu-s, and to confine her if at all inclined to vagrancy. The flaps should be numbered, and a few air-holes pierced in each ; the lower panels of the nests be made to slide out and in, as after each occupancy it is advisable to have them washed. The sitting-house yard 34 HOUSES AND YARDS. differs in no respect from that described for non- incubating fowls ; it must have a similar dust- bath and water-vessel. A flue (as seen in the woodcut) is desirable where chickens are wished during the winter months, to be used only in very cold weather, when the frost might be ex- pected to injure the eggs. Having now described the House of the hen, I shall proceed to its Food. 35 look Never stint poultry in the variety or quality of their food ; good food is a positive economy. The best and heaviest corn is the cheapest, if we except the small or tail-wheat, which, fortunately, is richer in flesh-forming properties than the full-grown and more marketable grain. ' I do not propose to write a lecture on chemistry ; for this read Liebig ; but we ought to make ourselves intimately acquainted with the different substances required for the for- mation and reparation of the system. The best food is that which gives the most of what Nature demands for the formation of muscle, bone, and fat. Fine bran, or middlings, (also termed sharps), is richer in two of these important ingredients 36 FOOD. than any other one kind of food, but being deficient in gluten, is not warmth-giving, and is better when combined with the whole grain, which, when bruised, or hashed, Cas it is some- times provincially called), forms the most whole- some and nutritious food. Barley is more used than any other grain. It is cheaper, but unless in the form of meal, should not be the only grain in the poultry-yard. Fowls do not fatten ujDon it. Oats, also, are inferior in nutriment, unless in the form of meal. Indian corn is a good and economical food, too fattening, however, to be given without judgment. It can be bought at most sea-ports at a reason- able price, and fowls are very fond of it. I find light wheat, or tailings, the best grain for daily use, and next to that, barley. Tlie subjoined table may interest my readers. I take it from a very useful publication, " The Poultry Diary, by an Essex Amateur : " — FOOD. tc « d rd •s 1 » -a O 1 'i '^-^ fe ^ fiK ^ Evert 100 lbs. of o a § 58 t-i O "S 1 1 ^-2 tZ2 J4 i^ Oats contain 6 6 3 6 15 18 47 fi3 2 2 2 5 20 2 1 4 10 1 9 12 14 Oatmeal Wheat 12 : 70 18 ; 53 Middlings (fine bran) Barley £> 1 CO 9, 14 11 Indian Corn 8 A trace 2 11 7 25 65 80 48 1 A trace 2 5 10 13 15 Rice Beans and Peas Milk 3 4i 5 1 86| Rice forms a very agreeable change of diet; it can be procured, a little damaged, for a small price, and is cooling and alterative, -when pro- perly prepared. The following is the method : Boil for half-an-hour, and then let it stand in the water till cold, when it will be found to have swelled amazingly, and the mass so firm as to admit of being taken out in lumps, and easily broken up. Buck-wheat and hemp-seed are greedily de- voured by poultiy, and no grains are more 38 FOOD. likely to produce eggs, early, and in abundance. During moult, give hemp-seed freely ; it strength- ens greatly. Groats also form an item in the food of these omnivorous creatures, but are not to be consi- dered ordinary feeding. They should be reserved for the basket of the lady manager. Linseed steeped is occasionally given (chiefly to birds destined for exhibition), to increase the secretion of oil, and give lustre to their plumage. The best sort of soft food is composed as fol- lows:—Mis equal quantities of thirds (sharps) with Indian, oat, or barley-meal, into a paste with water. This should be worked up into balls, which, if of proper consistency, break when thrown on the ground, and are thus equally .divided among the fowls; the size of the balls secures accuracy as regards quantity. Another advantage also is, that, if a lady per- sonally distributes the food, these balls are more agreeable to manipulate than the 'porridgy mass generally seen, and which fowls by no means relish : soft food should always be friable. FOOD. 39 The potato is the only cooked vegetable ad- missible, and is very conducive to the health and growth of poultry. When mashed and sprinkled with meal, it is a pleasant variety in the poultry bill of fare. Time was when we were wont to indulge our favourites freely in its use, but, alas ! that is matter of history now. The high price almost prohibits it to poultry, and I fear to many, too, who once depended mainly upon this fickle root for their support.* I do not approve of any feeding dish. Poultry prefer to pick their food off the ground, and the gravel and sand swallowed along with it are ne- cessary for digestion. Chopped cabbage, lettuce, spinage, or other green vegetables, should be given daily ; calcined oyster-shells are also to be used. Fowls are very fond of them, and they tend to produce perfect eggs. They are prepared by burning them in the fire until quite brittle, when they can be easily broken by the hand. The first meal, consisting of grain, should be given at six a.m. in summer, and at daylight in * This was writteu during the prevalence of the potato disease, therefore — although potatoes still command good prices — they are quite within the reach of all. 40 FOOD. whiter. That at mid-day should be the soft food balls already mentioned; and the last, grain again, that the fowls may have, during the night, the benefit of the warmth it imparts. In cold weather, feed liberally on toast soaked in ale. Fowls are by no means abstainers, but heartily enjoy their beer, nay, even wine, when suffering from debility. Cooked animal food is to be given daily during winter, taking the place of the insect life, which is absent. When the genial softness of spring again reigns over the scene, and the sleeping earth wakes once more, we may trust a good deal to the supply afforded by nature. The fowls, during their daily grass run, will pick up much themselves, for which we endeavour to make our own superfluity a substitute. We ought to consider ourselves deeply in- debted to poultry for the saving from waste of broken victuals, scraps of fish, &c., crumbs and larger fragments of bread, which last are too fre- quently collected, and appear again at table in the very objectionable form of puddings, and other unprincipled disguises, where a stern eco- FOOD. 41 nomy reigns, at the expense of all " reason, faith, and conscience." Had I the honour of being a correspondent of a sporting periodical, I would, of course, here quote, " Revenons d nos moutons." Being, how- ever, only a simple " Henwife," I may, perhaps, be allowed the more humble expression of " Let me revert to my subject;" and tliis brings me to drinking-vessels for poultry. Those I approve of, are the common tile flower-pot saucers. They do not hold much, so that the water is ever fresh, if frequently replen- ished, as they ought to be. This is a great desideratum, especially in summer. Fowls relish fresh cool water, as may be seen by the eagerness with which they fly to the vessels when refilled. These must always be kept clean, and occasionally scrubbed with sand, to remove the green slime which collects, and is so produc- tive of roup, gapes, and other diseases. In winter, care must be taken to empty them at nightfall, otherwise ice would form and cause breakage. In moulting time a little citrate of iron mixed in the water is beneficial ; about a 42 FOOD. teaspoonful to a common -sized water-can is sufficient, I am happy, in concluding my own experi- ences in poultry feeding, to be able to men- tion very favourably the food manufactured by Messrs Chamberlain & Co. Having now used it for some time, I can vouch for its excel- lence. My fowls are very fond of it, and thrive admirably upon it. I give it, mixed with minced boiled liver, and pounded pimento sprinkled over all. This, however, is to be considered quite a " bon bon," and used in limited quantities. Sometimes, I give the food plain, following their own directions for use, and have found the result very satisfactory. 43 Enteral Creatmtnt. The best guide is Nature, and we should always follow her as closely as possible in the treatment of our stock Fowls are almost grazing animals, and pick up grass, or any green food, in quan- tities. If, therefore, you cannot give them com- plete liberty, (and this is impossible where large numbers and several varieties are kept), you should, at all events, allow them a daily run in a grass park One hour's liberty is sufficient to keep them in health, and their enjoyment of this boon is so great, that, even were there no other reason, that should be sufficient induce- ment for you to give them their little bit of happiness, even at the expense of trouble to yourself. It is astonishing how soon fowls accommodate 44 GENERAL TREATMENT. themselves to the regulations of the establish- ment. A day or two suffice to make them acquiesce in all our wishes, and enable them to recognise, without apparent difficulty, their re- spective yards. Fowls seem to understand the value of their hour's play, and lose no time, (the trap once opened), in availing themselves of it; they rush to the grass, and never cease picking it, until driven home. Great care must be taken that one set is put in before another is let out; this demands hourly attention, as, by one moment's carelessness in allowing breeds to mix, hopes, for a whole season, may be destroyed. If there are several yards of the same breed, these, to save time, may be allowed to enjoy each other's society during their run, but never let out different varieties together. One single mesalliance will ruin the purity of the breed for the whole hatch of eggs, and even a second hatch. At no season of the year should hens be allowed to associate with the male bird of a different variety, and if superemment excellence is desired, not even with an inferior one of the same. GENERAL TREATMENT. 45 While the fowls are enjoying their grass run, their yards may be dug over ; twice a-week is not too often for this operation. Occasionally a little of the soil pared oflF, and fresh sand strewed in its place. At all times perfect cleanliness, in yards and houses, should greet the eye of the lady visitor — it is the grand requisite. At the risk of appearing didactic, I must insist upon this sine qua, non in a poultry establish- ment, (great or small), be it that of the " laird," or that of his "tenant." I do not say with some writers, "If the floor of the fowl house can be cleansed every morning, so much the better;" but I say, " It fniust be done," and scrupulously so, too. If the floor is as hard as it ought to be, a birch broom is the best implement that can be used for this purpose. The supply of water must be copious and of the purest description, and the dust-bath always provided with ashes for the use of the fowls. They love to roll themselves in this, scattering the contents over their feathers, to the effectual discomfort and dislodgement of all parasites. A heap of lime rubbish, or old mortar, should be 46 GENERAL TREATMENT. placed in a corner of each yard — poultry are fond of it, and it is conducive to their health. Once a-year, the interior of the houses and nests should be limewashed, and the floor saturated with the same mixture; this keeps aR perfectly pure and free from taint. It is good, during warm weather, occasion- ally to sprinkle water over the perch, and in its vicinity, scattering a little sulphur over the wetted parts. This ought to, and in a great measure does, prevent the appearance of any obnoxious animalculse, which, too often, in even well-regulated establishments, make their way good, to the torment of the occupants and their attendants. Depend upon it, the more we attend to the comfort of our domestic animals, the more they will repay our care. To realise excellence, demands the most un- flagging zeal and energy on the part of the mistress and her servants. Every day must have its apportioned work, carried out systematically, with honest vigour, in cold or heat, in rain or sunshine. Poultry must not be capriciously GENERAL TREATMENT. 47 dealt with — a feast one day, a famine the next. Superiority cannot thus be obtained. Where a hearty goodwill is shown by those appointed to tend your flock, and a kind interest is taken by them in its welfare, you have the surest founda- tion for success. There may sometimes be a little difficulty in eflecting reforms in manage- ment. Old prejudices and opinions, too deeply rooted to be easily eradicated, may be encoun- tered; but, if the lady fancier devotes some part of her leisure time to general supervision and direction, she will soon find that her presence acts like a charm upon even the most obdurate and old-fashioned bigot, who must, perforce, ac- knowledge the superiority of the new, over the ancien regime, as proved by the higher condi- tion, greater weight, and increased beauty of the birds. In cold or damp weather give nourishing food, and plenty of it; while in moult, the birds can scarcely be too highly fed. Amateurs, who themselves look after the wants of their stock, can best judge of their requirements, and will 48 GENERAL TREATMENT. prefer making their own arrangements regarding a dietary table. Never feed in haste, but watch the peculiari- ties of taste in your flock, and minister to them. One fowl may starve, while the others revel in luxury. As with children, their likes and dis- likes must be studied, and no one kind of food forced upon them, to their disgust, and conse- quent loss of condition and beauty. Where young stock, for early market, or summer exhibition, is desired, the breeding yards should be made up not later than Novem- ber. If fowls are properly fed, and attended to, eggs for setting will be plentiful in December. Well-formed, healthy, spirited birds should alone be selected to breed from, and a certain vivacity of temperament, and proud mien, are essential characteristics of the Lord of the Harem. His sultanas, of whatever variety, should be good types of their respective classes. Polygamy is allowable, but only to the extent of six wives, and this number may, with advantage, be reduced to four. The male bird, if of tlie :r spangled hambtjr^r GENERAL TREATMENT. 49 previous season, should be mated with hens two years old, and vice versd. The strongest chickens are to be obtained from old hens, with a cockerel. Broods, however, from these will be deficient in pullets ; such, at least, has been my experience. Avoid breeding from fowls related to each other. It is a baneful system, and results in small, delicate offspring, which easily falls a prey to roup, leg weakness, and all the ills that chickenhood is heir to. The cost of poultry keep may be considerably lessened by the proceeds of an annual sale by auc- tion, early in the year, before the breeding season, and also by the disposal of shigle birds or matched pens for exhibition at high prices. If the owner is known as a prize-winner, the fowls will pro- bably average L. 1 apiece at the sale, and are, con- sequently, too valuable ior the stock-can, which, otherwise, must be the destination of all that have passed chickenhood, and yet are unlikely to prove prize-takers, or desirable to breed from. Aspic de vollaile, and even cock's combs, when judiciously combined with oysters, truffles, &c^ n 50 GENERAL TREATMENT. are charming additions to the cuisine, but it is not every henwife, who, like Cleopatra, can afford to dissolve her jewels. Large sums have probably been required for the purchase of the parent birds, and we value their descendants accordingly. A good founda- tion was laid, regardless of cost, and the progeny must not be sacrificed. You may reduce your expenses by selling eggs for setting, at a remunerative price. No one should be ashamed to own what he is not ashamed to do; therefore, boldly announce your superfluous eggs for sale, at such a price as you think the public will pay for them. Beware of sending such eggs to market. Every one would be set, and you might find yourself beaten by your own stock, very likely in your own local show, and at small cost to the exhibitor. Early chickens may be hatched and sold to Edinburgh and London dealers, who will gladly give L.2 per dozen, ay, and more, for well-grown, straight-breasted white-legged chickens, mode- rately fat. Poultry rearers must not suppose GENERAL TREATMENT. 61 such sums are given for any hut early, well- grown, fat chickens. Leadenhall prices are said to be exaggerated, but residents in the Metropolis, during the season, know to their cost what they are, and I can verify them by my own books. Deem not, however, that all birds sold as spring chickens, are so in reality. Many are the produce of the previous autumn, stunted in growth by the hardships of winter. These the verdant housekeeper buys, and her master's guests eat them, asking no questions. The chickens which realise such high prices are hatched early in Januaiy, and reared with the greatest care, and attention to feeding. Poultry keeping (though essentially a home pleasure) need not be limited to home. Indeed, it becomes a necessity/ to dispose, in one way or other, of your superfluous stock. If you breed for exhibition, you cannot too strictly limit your numbers. Out of 100 chickens, you may not be able to match more than two pens for Birmingham, and must therefore leave yourself ample room for choice. This will give an abun- 52 GENERAL TREATMENT, dance to your establishment, and for the poul- terer. Chickens and eggs should be plentiful all the year round ; where poultry are kept on a large scale, the purchase of either should be unknown. By keeping pallets of those breeds that lay early, you command a supply of eggs for daily use all winter, and often have an overplus for market at its dearest season. I shall elsewhere detail the method I have found most effectual, for preserv- ing eggs for kitchen use, during the scarce season ; in summer, they are plentiful and cheap, and, as I said before, too good for market. I think I have now given all necessary instruc- tions for the treatment of poultry kept on a somewhat extended scale. Amateurs, who have limited accommodation, should keep only a few first-rate fowls, say a Dorking cock and two hens, two Cochin and two Brahma Pootra hens. These latter lay all winter, sit soon, and bring out Dorking chickens much earlier than the Dorking hens themselves, which are tardy sitters. The Cochin and Brahma eggs, being dark in colour, are easUy distinguished from those of the GENERAL TREATMENT. 53 Dorkings. I would advise the Cocliin eggs to be used in the household, and a few of the Brahmas to be set. A cross between it and the Dorking makes a large if somewhat coarse bird for the table. The pure Dorking chickens can be sold, at good prices, to other fanciers. To the hreeder they are useless, and are, perhaps, too valuable to be killed. The original stock will last two years, at the end of which I would recommend that the male bird be replaced by a younger one, of a diflerent strain, and then your own pullets will come into use. A few choice birds can be kept, in this way, at very small cost ; only one house is required, and that of moderate dimen- sions. If the fowls are to be confined during any part of the day, they must have a yard similar to that already described. If they have absolute freedom, they find many means of suste- tenance for themselves in the open fields or sur- rounding shrubberies, and will be, in a great measure, independent of the provision commis- sariat. It is impossible to lay down exact rules as to feeding ; experience is the safest guide. 54 GENERAL TREATMENT. Poultry, if penned up, with only an occa- sional run, live in complete dependance on the food given, which must always be regu- lated by circumstances. It must be borne in mind that high feeding is conducive to lay- ing, and the eggs will always pay for the grain consumed, if the yearly average price is taken. I have thus attempted to show that it is pos- sible to keep poultry, even as an amusement, without loss. It pays best either on a very large or very small scale. In the latter case it must be viewed only as a "fancy," and if the expense can be covered by the sale of extra stock, it is all that can be expected or desired. On a larger scale, the pursuit resolves itself into a system. The market must be studied for the purchase of grain, and for the sale of your produce. To show a good balance-sheet, your household must be supplied during the dearest as well as the cheapest seasons of the year. Your spring chickens must come from your own yards; your eggs, at two shillings a-dozen, from your own laying-houses. Thus you live in plenty — nay. GENERAL TREATMENT. 55 in extravagance, had you to purchase all you supply yourself with — and you enjoy the bless- ing of independence. To the farmer (and I hope to number many among my readers), I would give the following advice : — In spring, purchase a Houdan cock and six hens, also six Brahma hens. Set every egg. From these keep all the pullets, and kill or sell the cockerels. In autumn, the yard will be fully stocked with fine young hens, which will lay freely all winter. If eggs alone is the object, the original male bird may remain, with the addition of a cockerel when twenty pullets are kept ; but if pure bred chickens are wished, then I advise that the adult Houdans should be boarded out. A cottager, for a remuneration, will gladly take charge of them, and rear as many chickens as desired for carrying on the system. In this way, your original stock will supply your yard for several seasons. From thirty Brahma and Houdan pullets you will have above ten dozen eggs per week all winter ; and the cross produces the finest possible chickens for market, but not to breed from. Pure Brahmas and Houdans alone must be kept 56 GENERAL TREATMENT. for that purpose : I have always found the second cross worthless. As Brahmas do not so constantly show a desire to incubate, their period of laying being much more extended than that of Cochins, a few of these hens, (not the leggy, tucked-up looking things, so often called such, but short-legged, compact, well-feathered birds), may with advantage be kept, to act as mothers; they sit early, and are capital nurses. Farm yards are seldom stocked with profitable poultry; in them, too often, is the pernicious adherence to the system of breeding in and in seen, in its worst aspect; the result is certain degeneracy. Farmers look upon poultry as a trifling and un- important item in the farm stock, only to be kept as layers of eggs during summer, and are quite satisfied if their chickens bring a fair market price. But why not rear fowls that will weigh eight instead of four pounds? and at the same cost of feeding. Surely, such weights will com- mand higher prices than merely those of the market, which is often supplied with birds, scarcely worthy of the name of fowls. Creatures of every conceivable form and colour, with long GENERAL TREATMENT. 57 black legs, narrow breasts, and twisted breast- bones, certainly possessing a superabundance of tail, but tliat adornment goes for little in the cook's eye. These miserable results are by no means the consequence of want of food ; a farm yard is the paradise of poultry, and nowhere can they live in greater comfort or plenty. It is just because the birds want frame, on which to jjut flesh and fat ; bone is deficient ; and all the lap's full of oats, barley, and wheat, which the far- mer's wife may filch for them from the gude- man's barn, are wasted on a worthless crew. Let the fiirmer test the merits of my advice by his own practical experience, and I am not afraid of an adverse opinion. Poultry ought to pay him, if anybody; they have the advantage of the gleanings of the stack-yard, and at times are almost independent of any extra feeding. Should the farmer be an exhibitor, he must, of course, submit to some expense in carrying out his hobby. High feeding must then be the rule. Exhibition fowls require more than ordinary care and trouble. Money may have been in- vested in the purchase of prize pens, at enhanced 58 GENERAL TREATMENT. prices, but he may look for his return in the con- stant pleasure they afford him, and in being the envied winner of a " silver cup." 59 lattling. As "hatching" is often attended with great disappointments, my readers may like to know some of their causes, and the best means of guarding against them. The weather is often unjustly blamed; it ought not to have the influence so many hen- wives ascribe to it. You can, and should, always defend your poor sitters from its attacks. If my plan of "sitting-house" is adopted, you can expel John Frost by means of the flue, and, by damping the eggs regularly, set at nought the sharp drying wind, however penetrating. The mischances in hatching should really be few. If you set a hen under unnatural circum- stances, you must make it up to her by extra kindness, and endeavour to render the cloister- 60 IIATCIIINQ. like life she necessarily leads, as little irksome as possible. The house and yard must be tenanted by sitters alone, and kept scrupulously clean, the dust-bath full, and a daily supply of garden pro- duce, fresh water, and as much grain, and soft food, as the hen can eat, supplied during the half-hour allowed her for exercise. The birds should be taken off their nests simultaneously, and put into the yard, the atten- dant, (meanwhile), examining the eggs to see if any are broken. If any such there be, they must be removed, and the remaining eggs, when soiled, wiped v\^ith a damp cloth. The eggs in each nest should then be sprinkled with water, either by the hand or with a small flat brush, which answers the purpose admirably, as it does not distribute the water too freely. The floor of the house must be swept every doy, and, in warm weather, have a little flour of sulphur scattered over it. Hens usually return, quietly, and of their own accord, to their nests. If refractory, however, they must be lifted on, the panels closed, and HATCHING. 61 the inmates left in peace, till the return of another day calls for a similar routine of duty and pleasure. So on, until the 21st day, when the hen is released from her prison-house, and walks forth the proud and devoted mother of a brood of chickens. The necessity of damping eggs was not at all understood by the old school, and yet it must be done, if success in hatching is desired. Many complaints are made of eggs not hatching though there have been birds in each. This is entirely caused by the neglect of this precaution. Unless moistened, the inner membrane of the egg be- comes so hard and dry, that the poor little chick cannot break through, and so perishes miserably. Before dying, its cry, (like that of the starling of Sterne), probably has been, "I can't get out, I can't get out." Has slavery a more bitter draught than this? When a hen steals her nest in a hedge or clump of evergreens, she sits on the damp ground. She goes in search of food early in the day before the dew is off the grass, and returns to her nest with saturated feathers. To this fact 62 HATCHING. is to be attributed the comparatively successful hatching of the eggs of wild birds. To follow this as closely as possible, put a thick fresh-cut turf in the nest you are about to prepare for the reception of the sitting hen. Sprinkle a little sulphur over this, and spread over it straw in summer, hay in winter. I shall suppose that you have eggs ready for setting. They should be thirteen in number, or at most fifteen, if set dur- ing warm weather; in winter, nine eggs are sufficient for the very largest hen. Before hazarding your (it may be) valuable eggs, be certain that the hen is really broody. You may give her one or two worthless eggs as a trial, or, if you are anxious not to lose time, divide your setting between two or more hens, and if one proves truant at the end of a few days, give all to another. By setting several hens at the same time, you have the great advantage of being able to put all the chickens, as soon as they are hatched, under one, and of adding new comers to her flock. Eggs sometimes hatch irregularly, and unless some such system were established, HATCHING. 63 the earliest hatched chicken would die of starva- tion before the whole were brought out. I strongly deprecate the custom of removing chickens from the nest, and keeping them in baskets, before the fire ; there is no warmth so suited for them as that of the hen's body. After removing the empty shells from the nest, leave the Kttle creatures with their mother, undisturbed for twelve hours. When that time has elapsed, you may offer them food and water. If the egg has been chipped for some hours, and the chick does not make its appearance, a slight assistance may be given, by enlarging the fracture with scissors, cutting up towards the large end of the egg, never down, or the loss of blood may prove fatal. When the chicken, at last, makes its way out, do not interfere with it, or attempt to feed it. Animal heat alone can restore it ; if it survives the night, it may be considered safe. Weakness has caused the delay, and this has probably arisen from insuflScient warmth ; the hen may have had too many eggs to sit upon, or they may have been stale when set. If the chickens come out in the mominsf 64 HA TCHING. they may be taken from the nest in the evening, put on the ground, offered water, and a few crumbs of stale bread. Feed the hen well at the same time, and then restore them to their nest for the night Next morning, remove them Fig. 5. iigg. carefully to a coop which, in summer, is best placed on grass, in winter, on dry dusty soU. In selecting eggs for setting, choose the fresh- UA TCIIIiVG. ()5 est, of moderate size, well-shaped, and liavinii the air-vessel distinctly marked either in the centre of the top of the egg, or slightly to the side, as shown in the woodcut, (fig. 5.) By holding the egg between the eye and a lighted taper, in a darkened room, this air-vessel will be distinctly visible. Some assert that the sex of the chickens can be ascertained by the Flc. 6. Kggs in Basket. position of the air- vessel If on the top, you will have a cockerel; if on the side, a pullet; but this is a mere fable, and I have proved it to be so. Eggs intended to be set should be carefully collected and handled, and (to prevent them rolling about) placed, pointed end downwards. 66 HATCHING. in bran ; the date and description having been marked in pencil on each, (fig. 6.) One glance then suffices for selection, and the eggs are in nowise shaken. See that your hen be well fed, and has water, before putting her on the nest ; if hungry, she will be restless. If you get sitting hens from a distance, they should be carried in a basket, covered over with a cloth, never with the head downwards, as is too often seen, at the risk of suffocation, and the certain dissipation of their maternal dreams. Brahmas and Cochins are excellent sitters, and have no objection to enter into your views of a fitting domicile for them, during their retrdite; but Dorkings occasionally rebel, and refuse to sit, unless in their own way. You must be very gentle with them, and try, by kindness, to induce them to take to the nest selected. You cannot allow one hen to sit where others can have access to her nest. If you really have no room for her elsewhere, put a wire coop over her in her usual house, with something hung round it, to keep her secluded from every eye. Want of ac- commodation may compel you to do this; but, if HATCHING. G7 possible, avoid it ; a great objection being, that what is out of sight, is often out of mind, and the poor sitter may not be taken off her nest with the same regularity as the hens in the sitting- house. If you have a large bevy of brooding hens, it is advisable to number each nest, and register it in your diary, along with the date of setting and description of eggs ; when hatched, the number of chickens should also be entered. Some hens are reluctant to give up sitting, and will hatch a second brood, with manifest pleasure, but it is cruel to overtax their strength and patience ; more or less, they are sure to suffer. If altogether re- strained from sitting, however, a hen suffers much in moulting, and is restless and excited for the rest of the season. Pullets are less to be trusted, as sitters, than more mature hens, and (being rather erratic in their dispositions) are not very careful mothers. Artificial incubators are now extensively used, and where there is a command of gas they are easily managed, I, however, pre- fer the natural mother, as should some prove ftiithless, others will be found to take their place. C8 HATCHING. The necessity of quiet, gentle handling, both of the hens and broods, must be urged upon the person in charge of the sitting-house. Be watchful, and ready to assist the well-meant efforts of the mother, whose instincts are not always sufficient for the performance of her duties in a civilized and highly artificial condi- tion. 69 Cljitluns. On the day following that on which the chicken is emancipated from the shell, the proper food for the little stranger becomes a matter for considera- tion. The most approved regimen — at least, the one I adopt — is grated bread, yolk of hard-boiled eggs, and oatmeal, made into a crumbly mass with water, for the first week ; and afterwards, in addi- tion, groats, hemp-seed, and any small grain. Wheat-tailings are excellent food, more nutri- tious than any other. Feed often, giving little at a time, the first meal at daybreak, and every hour after that, till they are safely housed for the night. The water-vessels should be replenished at the same time ; these should be shallow. A good plan is to invert a small flower-pot saucer 70 CHICKENS. in a larger ; this leaves a narrow circle of water, in which the chicken cannot become immersed. Onion tops and leeks chopped small, are much relished by all young stock, as also cress, lettuce, and cabbage. If the weather is damp and cold, add a little pounded pimento to the food, give meat occasion- ally, fresh curd and hard-boiled eggs, yolk and white, mashed with shell, in the proportion of one egg to four chickens every day. Spare not your food; the young chicken has everything to make, and the mother being neces- sarily much confined to her coop, it is entirely dependent on extraneous aid. At times the hens may be allowed free range, but never in the early morning, or until the ground is thoroughly dry; the coops should be changed to fresh ground every day, from sun- shine to shade, and from shade to 'Sunshine, as required. The young broods become objects of intense interest, and a great deal of time may be spent among them ; they are creatures to love, and that love us. CHICKENS. 71 How eager we are that they should all thrive ! We examine their points anxiously, and can almost, in their early infancy, pronounce upon the future prize-winners. From that moment hey are marked birds, and receive special attention; all the tidbits fall to their share, and if there is a better coop, or a choicer spot of ground than another, it is theirs. I often wish poor children were fed, and their comforts as well attended to, as those of our embryo Birmingham and Crystal Palace competi- tors. ]May should find us surrounded with well- grown chickens ; it is the halcyon time of poultry. The weather is, or ought to be, warm, but whether or no, the chickens are growing apace, and for winter exhibition there is no doubt March and April birds are preferable to their earlier-hatched companions, which, however, you must have, for August showing, and early market. Chickens suffer much from bad feathering, which may be caused by the coldness of the season, or delicacy of constitution. In either case, high feeding is the cure. Bread soaked in ale should CHICKENS. be daily given, with crushed bones and oyster shells. Many writers add vermin as another chicken disease, but I cannot allow it in my category. It should be unknown in a well-appointed poultry yard. As I before observed, a little sulphur dusted into the feathers of the hen mother occasionally, and daily access afforded to ashes and dry soil, will banish effectually all such intruders ; let the hen out, and she will perform her toilet scrupulously. The chicken's progress (like that of the Pil- grim) is beset with many dangers and difficulties. Eoup, gapes, leg weakness — all are Sloughs of Despond ; it is not an easy matter to rear many chickens. Every poultry breeder can probably remember when he, or she, fancied it must be quite an A B 0 matter, because every cottager had one brood at least. Happy ignorance! The one brood was the secret: our's being legion, the ground has become tainted, the chickens overcrowded, and disease established. The remedy for all this I touch upon elsewhere, CHICKEXS. 73 but must here impress on my readers the necessity of the flock being scattered. Young stock cannot thrive if crowded. ' Think over the room you have for it, when the chick- ens approach adolescence. A good plan is to have a number of small houses erected in the woods and shrubberies, and in each of these establish a sufficient number of chickens, of one sex, old enough to forage for themselves. These detachments being drafted off, your coops will be ready for a fresh supply of young broods, and so on all the year round ; in winter the coops must be under shelter, and covered up with matting at night-fall the chickens, getting their last meal by candle-light, a])out eight o'clock. Pullets continue to grow until they begin to lay. I therefore advise their being kept by themselves, (if a great size is desired), till they are required to be matched in pens for exhi- bition. Cockerels will not fight, if the female sex is absent, and unable to incite and witness their gallantry, and prowess in the lists : — 74 CHICKENS. "Love of ladies, splintering of lances; Bright eyes behold your deeds." But as adolescence ceases with the year, (so the poultry parliament has enacted), they must then be separated from their brother knights, and dis- posed of as may be thought advisable. As soon as the chickens are taken from their mothers, and established in their own colonies, their feeding should be the same as that of adult .fowls, the plumage of which they ought to assume at the ase of six months. 75 6.vljibiti0m To obtain a correct estimate of the real value of your jjoultry, you must exhibit them from time to time, at good shows, where the leading breeders compete, and by prizes (if you get any), and com- parison, determine their true merit. Comparisons may be odious, but they are quite indispensable ; in no other way can this know- ledge be obtained. No one, who has not tried it, can imagine how poor may be the appearance of a home prodigy, when brought side by side with the produce of other yards. Alas ! what we fondly thought a " swan," dwindles down to a very com- monplace, under-sized " goose," by the fiat of the judge, while we, unwillingly, admit its justice. The spirit of emulation, implanted for wise purposes in our nature, is afforded, in these ex- hibitions, a field for action, and public advantage is the result. 76 EXHIBITION. If successful, you contribute fresh recruits to the army of poultry champions ; if the reverse, you probably purchase a better strain of blood, and retire, for a time, into obscurity, with the somewhat equivocal consolation that " All partial evil" ts " universal good," determined that, on a future occasion, you will not play the philanthropist on such unsatisfac- tory terms. Philanthropy is, doubtless, a good thing, but it is more self-pleasing when practised through success than defeat. Yes, the cold shade of the show-room has dis- pelled many a bright aspiration. " So, when the beams of sober reason play, Lo, fancy's fairy frost-work melts away ! " Still, there is nothing like perseverance and patience. For attaining victory, I venture to give the no- vice a few hints, the results of my own perils and struggles in the troubled waters of exhibition. The pilot who has " weathered the storm" can best conduct a stranger bark into its wished-for haven. I will presume that the chickens have been selected from infancy for exhibition, fed accord- EXHIBITION. ingly, and marked. This is best done by sewing small stripes of different-coloured silks loosely round their legs, which you can verify by your poultry diary, in which everything of importance should be entered. I recommend the cockerels and pullets to be kept apart until a month before the show, during which time they must receive extra feeding and care. Nothing is too good for exhibition birds ; give them daily exercise and an abundance of food. Linseed is calculated to give lustre to the plumage, and toast, soaked in ale, sprightliness, courage, and strength. High feeding is unquestionably the grand secret of bringing chickens up to the great weights now required in first-prize poultry. There should always be a few spare birds in reserve to fill up a pen in case of accidents, and such often beat their selected companions, under high feeding, and eventually take their places at the exhibition. Feather and points being equal, lueight must be the criterion. It is astonishing what the steelyard discloses ; birds, to all appearance the 78 EXHIBITION. heaviest, are "found wanting when weighed in the balance." No eye can be trusted to judge of weight. Seeming size is nothing — it may be all feather — so the birds must go to scale, and the breeder will often be very much surprised at the result. Fig. r. ■Weighing-Apparatus. The fairest weighing apparatus is the one I commonly use, (fig. 7.) EXHIBITION. 79 The weight of the basket being ascertained, must be deducted from the total, and, if possible, weigh your birds before their meal, as geese and turkeys will easily put on 1^ lb., in a pen of three. All other birds should give way to those selected to do battle, in the show-room, for the honour of the yard. They must receive exclu- sive attention, and their supposed inferiors bide their time, ready to supply vacancies, which they are often called upon to do. There is nothing so certain as disappointment ; I, in common with every exhibitor, have met with it. i\Iy experience, however, has proved to me, that full confidence may be placed in the general justice of judges' decisions. They have an arduous and most invidious duty to perform — arduous, because so extended — invidious, be- cause suspicions are often alleged by the losing parties. Such are, frequently, very virulent, and entertain a life-long grudge ; and may even say to him in his last moments, (with Eichard's ghostly visitors), " Let me sit heavy on thy soul to-morrow ; you passed me by at Birmingham ! " I believe poultry judges act honourably and 80 EXHIBITION. scientifically. I unhesitatingly leave my poultry to their verdict, and do not complain (if 1 think they have fulfilled their duty in accordance with such principles), though not awarded first or second honours. Theirs is a position I do not envy : all thanks to those who, so kindly, fill it. There being, however, no rule without an excep- tion, I must confess to more than one altercation with some who, I thought, had not studied the points of exhibition fowls, as distinctly laid down. I particularly allude to the decision of the ruling judge, English, at a recent show in the west of Scotland, (where there were separate classes for Grey and Silver-grey Dorkings, as at Birming- ham, Liverpool, and other leading shows), founded on the notion that the classes were synonymous, or (as he expressed it), "a distinction without a difference." I can imagine one diffident in ex- 2')ressing an opinion, though competent to form one ; but no such scruple troubled this worthy* — " Thus fools rush in where angels fear to tread." * A poultry club has now been established, by whose autho- rity a book of "rules for judging" has been issued. The club also appoints judges from its members, who are bound to adhere to the rules laid down, and it is to be hoped we shall bear fewer complaints of bad judging. EXHIBITION. 81 Let not the novice think his, or her, pen a cer- tain ''first." There is much to be encountered ; size, colour, comb, tail, feet, hackles, all must be perfect; and, in addition, a good constitution be apparent. Be careful lioio you enter your stock for exhi- bition. Describe the ages and varieties exactly, and see, yourself, that the labels are securely fas- tened to their respective hampers. Mistakes con- stantly occur in this : be equally watchful that the right birds are put in their right places. I have seen grey geese placed in the hamper intended for white, which most provoking occurrence cast the pen. ]Many such incidents take place at every show. On the day previous to exhibition, remove all private marks, and wash the feet and bodies of white fowls. This is best done with tepid water, and white soap, rubbed on flannel, care being taken to wash the feathers downwards, so as not to break or ruffle them. The fowls should be gently dried with soft towels, shut up in their houses with an abundance of clean straw, and there fed on soft food alone. Hard grain is apt 82 EXHIBITION. to cause fever and inflammation while travellinof, and in the exhibition pen ; its use is now discon- tinued at all well-conducted shows. When the birds return home, they should be fed sparingly on bread, soaked in warm ale, — liquid is mo;?t hurtful if given in quantity ; admin- ister also a teaspoonful of castor oil to each. On the following day, allow soft food only it] water, — after this they may resume their usual feeding. Hampers should always be circular in form, as fowls invariably creep into corners and destroy their plumage. They must be sufficiently high to admit of the birds standing upright, and suj^plied with a bed of hay to keep them warm. I consider a lining imperative : coarse pink calico, stitched round the inside of the basket-work, is what I use as the most useful and ornamental material. After each trip these linings are taken out, washed, and laid aside for future occasions. Sometimes padlocks are made available to fasten the lids of the hampers, but two pairs of strings, one on each side, (of rope), answer the purpose as well ; they are easily untied, and, being fixtures on the hampers, are always ready for use. EXHIBITION. 83 Some prefer canvas tops to wicker ones, think- ing they save the fowls injuring their combs. I use the latter, as being more secure, and admit- ting of one hamper being placed over the other. Geese and ducks require no lining to their ham- pers, unless in severe weather, during which their comfort is much increased by layers of pulled straw, stitched round the inside of their baskets. Guard against geese having a chance of reaching the direction label ; they invariably eat it, and are so mischievously inclined, that they will even nib- ble off the rope fastenings, if they can get at them. Turkeys suffer more than any other birds in apiyearance from cold or wet ; therefore, though hardy, they, for our own sake, demand a lined hamper. Never put strange birds together ; they fight with, and disfigure each other. They should be on friendly terms for some time previous to exhibition. Unless this is attended to, your hamper will be the arena of a savage combat ; even hens evince such jealous feelings towards a new-comer, that, if the cock does not interfere and keep down the ^meute, his seraglio suffers. EXHIBITION. When the exhibition season closes, choose a fine day to have youv hampers washed, dried, and put away. They should never be used but for exhibition birds ; disease is often spread by sick birds being put for a few days into com- fortable quarters (such as they afford), and the result is, the certain illness of the next occu- pants. Dear reader, the day, the eventful day, arrives, when your chosen champions must depart for the battle-field, and quit their comfortable home. Poor things ! most of you have known no other, and all may not return to it. Farewell, my gallant cockerels ! Farewell, my dainty pullets ! " Farewellj" — perchance — " a long farewell, to all my '' — beauties. Should your experience prove like mine, the scene will be something in this wise. Through the morning mist the active hen- wives may be discerned flitting to and fro like mad women. But there is " method in their madness." They are giving the Jast meal to their charges, and placing each carefully labelled hamper in its appointed place. EXHIBITION. As noon approaches, all hands muster, for all dearly love the poultry. The cart arrives; the horse stands quietly, with nose in bag, eating his corn. Anticipated triumph, or timid doubt, is in every face : not one is listless. How busy they are! No castle of indolence here. Hamper after hamper is brought, with its living freight, and carefully secured. The pile rises like a pyramid : at length the last crowns the tier, magnificent in its gay lining, and graceful in its limber wicker work. The cordial glass goes round, to drink them success, and they move slowly away, under a shower of old shoes for luck, to the station, where a covered van awaits them. As the cart recedes through the apple-trees in the orchard, one and all follow it with wistful gaze; when it finally disappears behind the in- tervening hedge-row, each gives an anxious look on his neighbour, and they disperse to their sus- pended occupations. Great anxiety prevails to hear the sentence of the judge. This is known before the fowls return, when all are kindly cared for, but the prize-win- ners are handled with an almost pious reverence. EXHIBITION. To serve as a guide to the uninitiated in the mysteries of poultry points, and their technical terms, I give a diagram of a fowl, (fig. 8), with a lettered reference. Fig 8. A . B . C . D . E . F . Neck hackle. Saddle hackle. Tail. Breast. Upper wing coverts. Lower wing coverts. Primary quills. Thighs. Legs. Comb. Wattles. Eai'-lobe. 87 giseases. "Whatever tends to alleviate the sufferings of domestic animals kept for our own gratification, it is our duty to study, for we must not allow them to pine and die unaided. "We ought to know all that is worth knowing, and make ourselves elioible for the deoree of M.D. (Poultr}'), equal to all emergencies of hen sickness. Take their diseases in time; your own prompt attention to their wants may ward off a serious malady, too often resulting in death ; procrastina- tion is as pernicious in poultry keeping as in anything else. There should be attached to every poultry establishment, a hospital, viz., a warm, well- lighted house, littered do^mi with straw, to which 88 DISEASES. the fowl can be removed, on the first symptom of illness. Sickly fowls are generally ill-used by their companions, pecked at, and evidently objects of dislike ; therefore a sanatorium is indispen- sable. Poultry are subject to many diseases ; the old (alderman-like) suffer from gout; moulting, with them, is often so severe and protracted that it carries them off. The young are victims of roup, gapes, leg weak- ness, and bad feathering. Eoup is highly infec- tious, and a very deadly disease, but if taken in time, can be cured. The premonitory symptoms are a slight hoarseness and catching in the breath, as if from cold. Do not neglect this, but at once remove the sufferer to the hospital, and give a tablespoonful of castor oil. A few hours after, administer one of Baily's " roup and condition pills," and take the scale off the tongue, which can easily be done by holding the bill open with the left hand, and removing the excrescence with the thumb-nail of the right. Repeat the dose of physic every morning for a DISEASES. 89 week, and give soft food only, mixed with ale and chopped green vegetables. If the disease has made much progi'ess before discovery, and rattling in the throat (with dis- charge from the eyes and nostrils) has com- menced, you must use stronger remedies. In addition to the castor oil, which should always be given before other medicine, and is perfectly safe, the following recipe by an amateur wiU be found beneficial : — " Take of dried sulphate of iron, in powder, half a drachm; capsicum, in powder, one drachm; extract of liquorice, a sufficient quantity, to make a mass which is to be divided into 30 pills. One to be given three times a-day, continued to the end of the third, and then followed by the second prescription:" which is "Half an ounce of sul- phate of iron, and one ounce of cayenne pepper in fine powder. Mix carefully a teaspoonful of these powders with butter, and divide into ten equal parts, one to be given twice a-day," Each morning and evening, until the complete restoration of the patient to health, wash the eyes, and inside of the mouth and nostrils with vine'j'ar. 90 DISEASES. This is very cleansing, and a few drops inter- nally are useful in removing the mucus which collects in the throat. The disease runs its course rapidly. If your bird is not better in a week, it will be dead. Whole yards are often depopulated by the ravages of this scourge ; single cases occur which are over- looked, and then the disease becomes universal. Some think roup merely a neglected cold ; but my opinion is, that it attacks the birds at once, and is contagious. The bill of the first sufiferer has perhaps con- taminated the water-dish, and such is the virulence of the malady, that it quickly spreads through the whole stock, and is indeed the Poultry plague. Even when the fowl appears to have recovered, it must undergo a long and strict quarantine before it is restored to the bosom of its family. I do not advise all this care to be bestowed on any but valuable fowls ; if the more worthless are attacked, the sooner they are put out of pain, and hidden from sight, the better, so wretched an appearance does a sickly fowl present. Gapes, or inflammation of the trachea, is a DISEASES. 91 disease peculiar to chickenlioocl, and is occasioned by small worms imbedded in the throat. They can be removed by introducing a feather, stripped to within an inch of the point, into the windpipe ; if turned round quickly, the parasites will be drawn up with it. It is a difficult opera- tion, and often fails in effecting a cure. So, un- less in the case of very valuable birds, I do not advise the amateur to have recourse to it. If the chicken gapes, give it a few drops of castor oil, and occasionally a small piece of bread soaked in spirit of camphor; feed with boiled milk and bread or custard, given by hand until the bird recovers its usual appetite. I must repeat, however, that a constant supply of fresh water, and perfect cleanliness, ensure good health : prevention is better than cure. Sometimes fowls become crop-bound, when (to save the bird) you must make a small incision, remove the mass of undigested food, and sew up the wound with fine silk thread. Give a table- spoonful of castor oil, separate the invalid from its companions until the wound is perfectly healed, and during this time feed entirely with soft food. 92 DISEASES. Hens occasionally drop their eggs on the ground, repudiating nests altogether, without the slightest regard to les convenances. This must be treated medically, and the hen shown the impropriety of deviating from the usages of society ; it may happen that they lay soft eo-D-s, and this also demands treatment. A dose of oil, in both cases, should be administered, and a change of diet enforced; the hen is too fat, and must be brought down in condition. Moulting, though a natural process, at times assumes the form of disease. The birds look out of health, and suffer, even to death, unless nourishing food is freely given ; if the weather is severe, many old fowls die. It is advisable to keep them warm, and feed well on hemp-seed, bread and ale, buck-wheat a discretion, and ani- mal food. Loss of feather (or mange) must not be con- founded with moulting; it is a sign of debility and pining. Fresh air, good feeding, and free range are the best cures; in country poultry establishments mange should be almost unknown. Fowls, if too closely housed or restricted in DISEASES. 93 green food and lime, sometimes attack each other's feathers imder the influence of a morbid appetite, and eff'ectually destroy the plumage till next moult. The remedies I have found best, are a re- formation in the economy of their diet, removal of the pecked bird to private lodgings, and the wounded parts rubbed over ■with sulphur ointment. Diarrhoea is caused by the too abundant use of relaxing food : boiled rice, with a little chalk and cayenne pepper mixed, will check the complaint. To all my fowls and chickens I give, from time to time, jalap in their food, in the pro- portion of a teaspoonful to 20 birds. It sets them up wonderfully, and keeps them in health. I also give a restorative, recommended by Mr Douglas. He is a well-known and successful breeder, and I consider his advice very valuable in- deed. He has kindly allowed me to publish it : " Bitter Eimedy. " Half a pound of sulphate of iron, one ounce of diluted sulphuric acid, dissolved together; add two gallons of water, allowed to stand fourteen days. " Dose for chickens : — One teaspoonful to a pint of water, twice or thrice a-week. Good also for old birds in moult." 94 DISEASES. " WoLSELEY Aviaries. " Restorative to prevent Eoup and Gapes IN Chickens and old Fowls. " One pound of sulphate of iron, one ounce of sulphu- ric acid, dissolved in a jug with hot water, then let it stand twenty-four hours, and add one gallon of spring water ; when fit for use, one teaspoonful of the restora- tive to a pint of water, given every other day to chickens, and once a-week to old fowls, will make roup and gapes entirely a stranger to your yards." " Pills to Cure Eoup in Poultry and Pheasants. " One grain of calomel, one grain of antimony, made into a pill ; one to be given every evening ; fowls kept dry, and fed on soft food ; when getting better, add a teaspoonful of the restorative to the water every day until they have quite recovered, which will be in about a week." I hope none of my readers will be so unlucky as to have a fowl poisoned ; but if so, I give Mr Douglas's method of cure : — " How to Tre^vt a Poisoned Fowl. " There must be no delay. Give two or three spoon- fuls of castor oU, according to the size of the bud. " In half-an-hour administer a strong infusion of coffee — %Yith a little sugar, but no milk. " The strength is one ounce of coffee to a wine glass DISEASES. 9o of water, given warm, but uot too hot, and the bird must be sheltered from cold. " After six hours give one more dose, and the recovery will be found perfect. John Douglas." " WoLSELET Aviaries." Leg weakness is generally caused by the size and weight of the body being more than the legs can bear; it is shown by the bird resting on the first joint. Being entirely the result of weak- ness, the best treatment is that which gives general strength and stamina to the sufferer. Citrate of iron must be given dissolved in ale, and added to the food, which may be more than usually nourishing, but not in greater quantity, as over-feeding has occasioned the disease. Frequent bathing in cold water is very bene- ficial. This is best efi'ected by tying a towel round the fowl, and suspending it over a pail of water, with the legs only iaimersed, so as not to injure the plumage. Absence of lime in the poultry yard sometimes causes leg weakness, and old age invariably shows 96 DISEASES. itself in the "trembling limb." Warmth and generous diet are the sole remedies for this. Fowls are apt to be afflicted with (dare I mention it?j corns. These are caused by injury to the foot in descending from high perches. Eemoval to a grass run is the best treatment. The calosity must first be carefully pared. Apoplexy is the result of high feeding; the comb becomes black, and the bird falls down in a state of stupor. Bleeding from the foot sometimes effects a cure, with the aid of medicine, and a continuation of low diet. It is well to know that fowls are no homceopa- thists, and can hardly be overdosed by simple physic. However, a smaller quantity has the same effect as a larger. 87 faticning. V'.-f,f^. ^'?^* i^0 \ ♦*' ^v^ SPANISH- Edjiibargli Ihamai C Jade 1 1 SPANISH. 137 carry very little flesh, and consume a great deal of food without ever getting fat. The chickens are very delicate to rear; they are long of fledg- ing, and of showing their good points. 2mcZ Variety — White- Faced White. "This variety is seldom met with. Good specimens would certainly be valued if only for their rarity. Description, same as first variety, except the white plumage. 3rd Variety. — Andalusian. " Fowls of a bluish -grey colour mixed with black, having white faces; white fowls with red faces have been shown under this name; so called, from having been imported from the Spanish province of Andalusia. Unless this variety is found to possess superior properties to the White-faced Black, as it has not such dis- tinctive points, it is doubtful if the fine name will bring it into repute. 138 BREEDS. Mh Variety. — Minorca. " So called from having been brought from that island. This variety is also sometimes called Andalusian, as no doubt fowls of this de- scription may be found there also. Comb and wattles are similar to the first variety, but instead of a white, a red skin extends from the throat to the ear-lobes, which are of moderate size, and red, though, from mixture with the White-faced variety, the ear-lobes are very often found white. Body rounder, shanks and legs shorter than in the first variety. These fowls are hardy, and will thrive in a confined place, whereas the White- faced require a good run on a dry soil. Spanish fowls have been recommended for keeping in towns, as the smoke and dirt do not affect their plumage. The Minorca, or fomth variety, is best adapted for that purpose, and they possess capital laying properties. **C. MUIKHEAD." GO LAIGJIS, OR SCOTCH DUMPIES. 139 ^0 S^itrgbs, 0r ^roftlj gumphs. This breed is now almost extinct, but as an attempt has been made to revive it, we may ex- pect to see this Dwarf in Poultry exhibited with good chance of favourable notice, and even with hopes of a special class. They can be bred true to feather, and this should be particularly aimed at, to the exclusion of the Mongrels so often pointed out as fair specimens. Shortness of leg alone should not constitute their claim to notice. They must have large heavy bodies, bright distinctive colouring, and other points of excellence. They are not merely fancy birds, but valu- able as table poultry, layers of large fine eggs, and cannot be excelled as sitters and mothers. Gamekeepers have a strong partiality for this breed, for hatching the eggs of partridges and 140 BREEDS. pheasants, being so quiet in their movements, and attentive to their young. The exhibition points are as follows : — Cock — Tail, full and black; neck and saddle hackles, silvery- white ; breast, black or spotted with white ; thighs, black, or as nearly so as pos- sible; form, squarely built, and broa-d across the chest ; legs, very short, not above one inch and a-half in length, free from feathers, and white in colour; C07nb, rose, double and pointed at the back, bright scarlet, as are also the wattles, which should be long and pendulous, almost touching the ground; ear-lobes, red. Hen — Ash-backed, salmon-breasted, silver- hackled; in other points similar to the cock. The general carriage is heavy, and gait waddling. The extreme shortness of leg gives them the appearance of swimming on dry land. COCHIN. 141 All persons conversant with poultry matters are aware that this gigantic fowl was originally imported from China, and has added considerably to om: stock of valuable birds. Cochins lay regularly, and if not too highly fed, are productive of very fine chickens, which I consider excellent for the table, if killed young ; more than that, I cannot say. The hens are most exemplary in their ma- ternal duties, and, from their abundance of soft and downy feather, are peculiarly adapted for the purpose of hatching. This seems their vocation, which they accept with the most serene patience three or four times a-year. They enjoy the hon- ours of maternity ; their love of this task seems their idiosyncrasy. For them a mother's life is " blessed with those SAveet cares, all other joys so far above," and they are often tempted to leave their chickens at too early an age to resume them, which is a great disadvantage in cold weather. 142 BREEDS. I have found that, if cooped up, the chickens having egress between the wires, the hens will both lay and tend them ; and as they are chiefly de- pendent on her protection during the night, this is a more natural, and therefore preferable plan, to putting the little things by tnemselves, (even with the protection of a glass house), until turned out into free ranges. This variety is very hardy, and may be kept in a smaller space than almost any other ; cockerels, however, must have ample range, if intended to become superior specimens. It is remarkably free from liability to any disease, if well provided with green food; this is indis- pensable. I consider the Cochin a most beautiful bird, and capable of comparison with the most grace- ful and high-coloui'ed of our poultry; its ex- quisite feathering, and lovely tints, from the palest buff to deep orange, make this bird peculiarly the lady's own. All must appreciate its massive huild, small head, rich, full hackle, and majestic carriage; true types of the high-caste Cochin. COCHIN. 143 It, perhaps, has a larger appetite than most fowls, and a good hearty meal must be given; but we are repaid in eggs and early chickens. These are the principal uses for which we should keep it. The male bird possesses a quiet and easy tem- per, and is peculiarly gifted with the art of calm- ing any violent spirit his hens may display. Lords of the creation! what an example do they set you of patience under much provoca- tion! To be perfectly truthful, a cross with the Cochin deteriorates the beauty of a?^ other varieties, and adds nothing to the value of chickens so obtained. As an example of this, see the gaunt, long- legged, ill-conditioned birds so often the result of a Cochin cock having been introduced into a poultry yard to improve the breed ! ! Since writing the above, I have been gratified by receiving a perfect corroboration of my opi- nions, both as to this breed and the general treat- ment of stock, from Mr Stretch, the eminent Cochin fancier. 144 BREEDS. His commuiiication is of much value ; I there- fore give it verbatim: — ^ " I have often been asked what aged birds are the best to breed from. My experience would lead me to say, health is of more consequence than age ; but I by no means despise birds of the previous year. The chickens from pullets' eggs are generally smaller than those from the eggs of old hens, when first out of the shell ; but after the second month, they grow much faster, and generally show more constitution. Avoid birds with glaring defects, as they are more surely re- produced than good points. Moderate-sized birds, however, of good shape, often produce as fine chickens as the larger-sized birds. " This breed has a great disposition to accumu- late abdominal fat, and consequently their food should not be of too nourisliing a quality. Those who give Indian meal or corn (which contain about 8 per cent, of oily matter), have frequent cases of apoplexy amongst their poultry. Boiled potatoes, mixed with a little barley meal or mid- dlings, should form at least a portion of their daily food. There is another reason why Cochins COCHIN. 145 should not be kept in too higli condition; the eggs of such seldom produce chickens, and in a short time barrenness ensues. "With respect to setting, the place chosen should be perfectly free from draughts, and if not on the orround, some sifted coal ashes should be placed under the straw, A little flour of sulphur dusted imder the hen's feathers will prevent the accumulation of vermin, thus freeing her from one of the greatest annoyances to which sitting hens are liable. "Although a Cochin hen can cover a large number of eggs, I believe more strong chickens can be reared from seven eggs than from an in- oreased quantity; and I am sure that this num- ber of chickens is quite as many us the hen can keep sufficiently warm and find food for, to en- sure a rapid growth. For the first week, bread crumbs and hard-boiled eggs, chopped small, should form their food; afterwards groats; and, as they increase in size, wheat and slacked oat- meal will be found a valuable addition. Green food and clean water are essential to health. "At three months old the sexes should be 146 BREEDS. separated. The cockerels, to grow fast, should at least have soft food twice, and grain once a-day. The pullets should have a more sparing diet, as, if forced into laying at five or six months old, their growth is stopped ; their eggs are small, and they lay only a few at a lime. If allowed time to develope their full form, they not only make much larger birds, but frequently lay thirty or forty eggs before showing any disposition to sit. This frequent desire to sit is a great an- noyance to some parties, and the cause of their services often being dispensed with altogether. It is, however, easily cured, not by the cruel method of ducking the hen in water, but by placing her in a pen where there is no nest, and feeding her well. The fever will generally leave her in about five days, and she will soon recom- mence laying. ** The points aimed at by amateurs who desire success at the numerous exhibitions of poultry throughout the country, are as follows, viz., per- fectly straight fine comhs, the serrations well-de- fined ; the body well let down between the legs, the shanks of which should be of a yellow colour, COCHIN. 117 short, and well feathered to the end of the toes. Only about an inch of the thighs should be visible above the hocks, and the upper part well surrounded with fluffy feathers. Great breadth of body, and large size, indispensable. The cocks vary in colour, from a dark red to a lemon colour. The clearer they are in colour the better, but a good bird in other respects is not to be despised for a little mealiness in the wing coverts. Neck and saddle hacJde should be of a bright golden colour, and copper-coloured tails are preferred to black. The latter should be small and compact, rising gracefully from the body. The hens vary in colour, from a dark yellow to a pale buff. The lighter-coloured hens show to most advantage in an exhibition pen, and are generally preferred. Golden neck hackle, and clear if possible, but a slight necklace is by no means fetal. The car- riage should be rather drooping forward, rising from the back to the extremity of the tail, of >vhich only about an inch should be visible be- yond the surrounding fluff. "T. Stketch." Marsh Lane, Bootle, Liverpool. 148 BREEDS, This delicately-beautiful variety demands the same requisites in size and shape as the coloured ; the plumage alone differs — this must be of a brilliant white, without the slightest admixture of yellow ; the contrast of the deep scarlet comh, wattles, pale yellow hill, legs, and snowy plumage, make this bird the champion of its class, if seen under a pure sky, and on a clean grass run. It is quite a mistake to suppose the white less robust than the coloured Cochin; they are vigor- ous and hardy ; good layers, sitters, and mothers. The Partridge, the Black, and other varieties, are almost identical with the Bufi's in general characteristics. The plumage, of course, differs. In the Par- COCHIN. 140 tridge the hackles should be reddish-yellow, free from dark stains ; tail and hreasty black. The hens have dark pencillings on the hackles, and are generally richly coloured. The legs are rather of a deeper tint in the Yellow, than in the Buff variety, especially in the cocks. A " white feather " in any of these is as fatal to the Cochin, as it is to those that show it, in another school. The Black variety is seldom "as black as it is painted." The cocks too often show the yellow hackle; good Blacks are decidedly scarce, in spite of Mrs Beecher Stowe. There are Cuckoo and Silky Cochins, but of these the "Henwife" knows little, and therefore must be held excused in not entering into their merits ; the more, as she thinks them only a par- ticular fancy, and not likely to further the in- terests of poultry. 150 BREEDS. These are very pretty, interesting little crea- tures, but altogether fancy fowls, utterly useless for table or market. Their bones and flesh are coal-black, while, strange to say, their plumage is snowy-white, soft and silky, resembling spun glass. Their eggs, though small, are said to be excellent, pinkish- white in colour, something like those of the Ban- tam, but I confess to a prejudice against the egg of a Darkie, not even overcome by its silvery locks. The cock is a pattern of fidelity and gentle- ness; he assists his partner in the care of her family, and even acts as nurse. The hen is the best of foster-mothers for Ham- burghs and Polish, their soft warm feathering tempting these delicate little fastidious beings to cotton kindly to them for protection. Tlie points of a Silkie Goch are: — Plumage, white ; crest, small, low, and set far back on the SILKIES. 15] head; comb, dark reddish purple; ear-lobes, turquoise blue; wattles, purple; legs, eyes, and bealc, jet black ; tail, full, but not with many sickle feathers; body, low set, but large, and broad in the breast. Hen — precisely similar points, except the tail, which, in her, consists of a small bunch of feathers like marabouts. Her comb also is smaller, and crest (or tuft) larger. lo2 BREEDS. A very elegant and pretty, though somewhat foppish and conceited-looking bird. It is not of suflScient size to be eligible for market purposes, but for private consumption is excellent, the flesh being white and tender. They are almost everlasting layers, but the eggs are, certainly, below average size. They rarely sit, and the reputation of good mother, cannot, with fairness, be classed among their virtues. As d, fancy variety, the Polish take high rank, and deservedly so, for they thrive under petting, and really require greater care than more robust varieties. A farm-yard would be the death of them ; they like a grass run and aviary accommodation, and their plumage increases in beauty with the in- crease of comfort. Edmbur^ TV. POLISH. 153 Their greatest merit is, that, like the Game, they continue to improve in feather for several years, when other varieties of the same age have faded; they are the Perennials in poultry. In plumage they are of different colours. The Black should be unifonnly of that hue, with a greenish sheen; crest, full and globular, and as white as possible ; comh, should hardly be visible ; it is merely two small fleshy points ; wattles, small ; tail, black, ample, and well sickled ; legs, lead-coloured. The Golden resemble nearly the gold spangled Hamburghs, except in having a top knot, which should be golden brown. The Silver differ only in the colours, which are white and black, instead of gold and dark brown. The White Polish is very delicate, and are more often obtained by chance than by special breeding. Buff and Grey Polish have been exhibited, which were very handsome and rare ; a peculiarity in this variety is that the hen is web-footed. 154 BREEDS. These gems of beauty and most treasured and prettiest of pets are, certainly, the most impu- dent, as well as diminutive, of our domestic poultry. They are ridiculously consequential, and seem as if they prided themselves on their captivating appearance. There are several varieties, all pos- sessing the same passionate temper, and, though such perfect pigmies, are most pugnacious, which clearly proves their Javanese origin. They resemble the natives when under the influence of bang, that intoxicating herb which destroys all sense and reason. The hens are very good layers, and many per- sons relish their eggs exceedingly; they contain a greater proportion of yolk than those of larger varieties. As mothers. Bantams are unrivalled, fulfilling BANTAMS. 155 their duties to a wish ; the chickens should not be hatched till July or August, as it is an object to have them of the smallest possible size, a strange deviation from the utilitarian principle. For the first few weeks they are decidedly delicate ; they seem to feather more quickly than most fowls, and in that stage are apt to die off, the drain on the system being too severe. \Yhen fully feathered, they are quite hardy, and may be allowed free range, with the mother, in a garden, where they will do much good by devouring insects, (for they are industrious little labourers), and will not injure flowers or vegetables. They are a pretty fancy, and being miniatures themselves, are well suited to miniature poultry grounds ; not that they are at all limited to such, for they are prized by fanciers who rear all sorts and breeds of fowls on the most extended scale. They can be kept along with other breeds and fowls with impunity. There are many varieties of Bantams, exclusive of the feather-legged, which, like moustache in the pulpit, is a matter, (shall I say fortunately ?) 156 BREEDS. of rare occurrence, though the former may be considered more objectionable than the latter, as being more unnatural. The points of Gold-laced Sebright Bantams are : — Plumage, golden brownish-yellow, each feather bordered with a lacing of black ; tail, without sickle feathers, carried well over the back, each feather tipped with black ; comb, rose, pointed at the back; wings, drooping to the ground ; saddle and nech hacJcles, totally absent ; feet and legs, lead-colour and clean; ear-lobes. white. The Gold-laced hen corresponds exactly, in plumage, with the cock, but is considerably lighter in weight. The Silver-laced differ from the above only in the ground-feathering, which is silvery instead of golden. The more nearly the shade approaches to white, the more beautiful is the specimen; too often a yellowish tinge is visible. Both classes are distinguished for their strut- ting braggadocio air, and pufFed-out breasts, making, as it were, the most of themselves. BA.VTAJIS. 15: The Black and White Bantams are perhaps the smallest of that tribe. One description will suf- fice for both, as they differ only in colour, which must be stainless in either. Cock — tail, sickled and flowincr; con\h, rose; wattles, scarlet; ear- lobes, white, and well developed ; legs, deep slate- colour. Hen — similar in plumage. In breed- ing the White Bantam, white legs and bill are to be aimed at; these points greatly enhance the beauty of these little favourites. Game Bantams resemble the real game in form, colour, and high courage (only, in size, on a ridiculously reduced scale) ; this gives to the tiny breed a degree of interest superior to any other. Fanciers can keep these representatives of by- gone days, and " fight their battles o'er again," in idea, " thrice rout all their foes," and " thrice slay the slain." Even these innocent little creatures are sub- jected to the cruel process of dubbing. It is indeed monstrous to rob these pretty fairies of any beauty with which nature has adorned them. Game Bantam fanciers ! will you listen to the 158 BREEDS. cry of a " Sister of Mercy," and abolish at once this barbarous remnant of antiquity? The Duckwing and Black-breasted Red are the two most esteemed varieties. The points of the former (small size being essential) are: Cock — Breast, black; tail, black and sickle-feathered; neck and saddle hackles, silvery white ; face, red ; head, thin and long; beak, curved. The lower wing coverts of the male bird, which is always the most marked and brilliant in plumage (giving, in fact, the name to the breed), should be marked with blue, forming a bar across the wing. Hen — Breast, robin colour; body, ash grey ; hackle, silvery; legs vary in colour, white are much coveted, but very rare. Black-breasted Red. Cock — Breast, black ; neck and saddle hackles, bright orange-red ; back, brown-red ; tail, black. He7i — general colour, chestnut-brown; hackle, pale buff, edged with black ; breast, deep fawn; body and iving coverts, partridge colour. Each amateur has his own predilection as to BANTAMS. 159 the colour of legs and feet. Uniformity, how- ever, in a pen, is indispensable. There are other varieties of Game Bantams, as in their larger progenitors, but it is not pos- sible to give the descriptive characteristics of each. These newly -imported birds are of various colours, but all have the same form — very short leg — well feathered — the tail almost touching the back of the head, as in the fan-tailed pigeon. I have found them delicate in chickenhood, but not so when fuU grown. The buff, wliite, and black varieties are all very beautiful. 160 BREEDS. This breed is of elegant form, and graceful in its movements. It may be called " everlasting layer," because, until in moult, the hen lays almost every day; they seldom show a desire to sit ; it is the exception, and only indulged in (I have found) when the birds had a free woodland range, thereby clearly demonstrating the fact, that domestication has impaired their sitting powers. Originally, (of course), they must have hatched their eggs like other fowls. I have found both the Pencilled and Spangled varieties good mothers. If not interfered with, (like the phea- sant, in a fine season), she will rear all her brood, but, like her, is quite dependent on weather. If confined to a yard, I have never found the Ham- burghs sit ; and their range, even if free, must be wild, to induce a desire to perpetuate her species. They are truly lovely and perfect creatures, and, if size of egg is not a desideratum, this breed ^^ -.^H, ¥ 1 KNCILLF. D HAMBURGH HAMBURG HS. 161 will suit the mere fancier better than any other. It is robust in constitution, and has the knack of keeping itself in good looks eleven months out of the twelve. For the table, what is of it, is good. I have found them safe birds to exhibit; for if the colour and points are good, condition and size are never considered. Mr Brown's description of the necessary points is exactly in accordance with my own experience : he has kindly permitted me to make use of it. " The points of ' Silver-spangled Hamburghs ' are: a white ground, with clear and distinct spangles (in the hens) all over the body; tail, white and spangled, or traced on the outer margin of the feathers; blue legs; good double combs, finely serrated and fii-mly set on the head, with an evenly-pointed spike at the back. The spangled cock must possess the same points as the hen ; with this exception, that his wings are not spangled in all varieties of the Ham- hurgh. The larger the luliite ear the more valu- able the bird, provided it has all the above points. "The points of the 'Golden- spangled' are L 162 BREEDS. exactly similar to the Silver, except the ground- colour, which is golden. The cochs in this variety- differ very. much. Some judges approve most of those which have a pure hlach breast — some desire them spangled, but this, so-called spangling, on the breast of a golden cock is seldom more than oblique patches of red, not corresjjonding at all with the upper parts of the bird's plumage. Seeing the difficulty of getting a pure and well- defined spangled breast, I prefer a pure black. " In the pencilled varieties, the combs, legs, tail, and hackles, are the same as in the spangled birds ; but the tail in the hens is very frequently pencilled, as well as the body. The cock, in the Silver-pencilled variety, is often nearly white, with yellowish wing coverts, and a brown or chestnut patch on the flight feathers of his wing. The cock, in the Golden-pencilled, should be of one uniform colour all over his body — no pencilling whatever. Tail, copper colour, but many first-class birds have a pure black tail. It must be borne in mind that the hackles and head of the four varieties I have de- scribed should be entirely free from any black markings. " D. Beown." 163 ifrotl; IrtcJrs* "We have received many varieties of fowls from France, some of which I can from experience recommend. As a rule, they are non-sitters — lay large, white, de- licately flavoured eggs, and are excellent as table fowls — being white in flesh and well-shaped. Unlike the Dorking, they lay in winter, irrespective of age, and adult hens, if highly fed, will lay during nine months of the year. I can particu- larly call attention to the three following varieties : — This hobgoblin-looking fowl is really a good and useful one. 164 FRENCH BREEDS. Some think its name is derived from the re- semblance the comb presents to a split heart ; others (with whom I agree) do away with this romance, and attribute it to the preponderance of the breed in the village of Creve Coeur, in Normandy, whence we can distinctly trace its origin. I have bred these birds largely, and continue to do so, which is a sure proof that I consider this variety (so little known) worthy of consider- able attention in this country. Parisians are quite aware of its merits. The breed is scarce, and I have found much difficulty in procuring birds, of a different strain, to breed from — true to colour. The pure-bred Creve is of large size ; the cock should weigh nine and a-half pounds, and the hen (which is heavy in proportion) about eight and a half pounds. The pullets come to maturity at an early age, and always outweigh the cockerels. Creves possess the great advantage of thriving in a confined space, are remarkably tame, and of great amiability ; but I have found the chickens CREVE CCEUR. 1G5 delicate and liable to roup in damp seasons — they thrive best on dry light soil, and can scarcely have too much sun. The points to be aimed are as follows : — Cock — jet black body, and tail with the green- ish hue of the Spanish. Neck and saddle hackles — ^jet black, long and full. Top —must be jet black. Ear-lobes — red. Wattles — bright scarlet, long, and pendulous. Beak — black. Legs — black, and free from feathers. Coynb — scarlet. In shape a cleft heart, or rather like the horns of the fallow-deer. He7i — identical in colour with the cock, as regards bodi/, legs, and tail. The crest must be very full and globular, either black, or black and white ; the comb is, of course, much smaller — mere spikes. The body must be square, breast full, and legs short. 166 FRENCH BREEDS. fa iVu\t. These are very handsome, large, showy birds, very lively, and more inclined to wander than the Creve Coeurs. When full grown, they are also hardier ; but as chickens, even more delicate, in wet weather. They should not be hatched before May. Their points are : — Cock. Comb — shaped like horns — quite straight and more pointed than that of the Creve Cceur. Face — bright red, and nostrils wide and ele- vated. Ear-lobe — white. Hackles, neck, and saddle — metallic black. Plumage — jet black. Legs — very dark — almost black — strong, straight, and somewhat long, but concealed by the full, deep breast — a most important point. HOUDANS. 167 Hen. Comh — small, and spiked. Plumage — jet black. Legs — short and strong. Breast — broad and deep. Size is arrived at in this breed. This is my favourite variety of all the Conti- nental fowls, and I hope to see it widely spread throughout our own land. It should be seen in every farm-yard, and I can guarantee that the earliest chickens sent to market will be from this breed. The chickens feather quickly, and are altogether more precocious than others, (unless the Hamburgh, that pretty, graceful bird, dimi- nutive in form, but of rare beauty). I have found them quite hardy, and in damp weather much more easily reared than Dorkings. In addition to their laying powers, as table fowls they are excellent — smaller than the Creve Coeur or La 168 FRENCH BREEDS. Fleche, but very white in flesh, plump, and well- shaped. Houdaus, in their own country, have no particular points of colouring beyond the black and white plumage, as free from any tinge of yellow as possible. In our exhibitions we are more ambitious and exclusive, and I shall en- deavour to describe the points of merit aimed at by English fanciers and breeders. Size should have much influence in the decision of judges. Premising tlmt the pens of Houdans will be matched in colour of leg, the other points are as follows : — Cock. Breast — black and white, regularly spotted — full and deep. Thighs — spotted, as short and fleshy as pos- sible. I^eck hackles — white and black, streaked — full and long. Saddle hackles — white, and very long. Crest — scanty — streaked black and white. Comb — branched, and slightly cupped. Wattles — red and long as possible, but firm. EOUDANS. 169 Tail — white, carried well up, and abundant. Legs — as white as possible, or spotted with grey. Feet — do., with five claws. Carnage — bold and upright. Hen. Breast — black and white, regularly spotted. Body — do. Comb — small and spiked, or slightly cupped. Beard — full and long. Crest — very full and globular, mixed black and wLice. There is a variety of Houdan very dark in colour — the ground almost black, with very little white. The tail feathers must in the cock be almost black, and the hackles also be of dark hue. Either variety breeds true to colour. 170 BREEDS. The evidence seems in favour of our being indebted to our transatlantic cousins for this gigantic race of Poultry. There can be no doubt of the existence now, in America, of two distinct classes, the Domestic and the Wild, although they must originally have centred in one common stock. The former is famous for its immense size, the latter for its beauty. In our own country we have several varieties, distinguished by colour only, for they are all identical in their habits and general form. I shall dilate on the peculiar characteristics of each, though I do not think the Turkey is a profit- able denizen of the farm-yard. Their chickenhood is so delicate, that many do not arrive at maturity, even after the greatest care has been bestowed upon them, and much food wasted. When suc- cessful, and fine birds are reared to grace the TCRKEYS. 1"! Christinas board, the price they commaud is not at all commensurate with their cost; they are defunct debtors. To pay, I consider they must be bred in numbers, and on a system of exclusive attention ; but a single brood reared on a farm, fed up to great size and weight, and pampered to their heart's content, will, at the period of sale, have cost double its price in food. I know many who will bear me out in this. Does any one, then, ask, " Is this species to be tabooed in private establishments?" I say. Most certainly not; it cannot be dispensed with, so elegant in life, so useful in death: who ever heard of a dinner without a Turkey? Where attendance is ample, the Turkey may be raised with ease, without any important extra expense in that respect, though its food must, of course, always be a heavy item. Adult birds are very hardy, and poults, when fully feathered, will have, in a great measure, survived their earlier delicacy. For breeding purposes, birds of mature age, even three or four years, are preferable to those 172 BREEDS. of only one year ; the hens may be unlimited in number. Turkeys select their own laying places, and will return to them faithfully, though their eggs are removed daily, provided a nest-egg is left to mark the spot. When broody, the hens may be deposited in any corner, as they are persevering sitters, and will not desert their eggs wherever placed. If the nest, chosen by the hen, is in a sheltered and secluded spot, it is as well to return her eggs when she gives evidence of a wish to sit. I have always found the healthiest birds are obtained from this natural treatment. Turkeys roam far in search of privacy for laying, and steal off most cunningly to the selected retreat; they sometimes even defy de- tection, and are not seen till they appear with their brood, generally a small one, for, if the weather ic wet or cold, the chicks die off, as do those of our wild birds — partridges and pheasants. Fifteen eggs are sufficient to place under a Turkey; they are hatched on the 31st day. "WILD AMERICAN TURKEY £din1nirfii Tbtr^^^ C Jacx TURKEYS. 173 A similar treatment should be adopted with the chicks, as with those of the common hen. Leave them for twenty -four hours with the mother ; then offer them the yolk of hard boiled eggs, bread crumbs, curd, minced green food, and confine the hen to her coop for a few days, and always till the grass is dry. She will, when at liberty, lead them into the unmown hay, and dry plantations, where they will pick up much food, in the shape of seeds and insects, but they must also be fed by hand, three or four times a day, and at regular intervals. Porridge and milk, chopped nettles, onions, docks, and cabbage, are aU favourite items in their dietary ; some are nourishing, some stimu- lating ; they must also have their share of the soft balls described in my chapter on food, and grain of any or every sort. For some years I have made use of Durant & Co.'s* patent meal, for mixing with the other food, and I have found it very beneficial. The poults eat it greedily, and it keeps them in good health and spirits * Agent, Mr Daniel Brown, taxidermist, Perth. 174 BREEDS. even in damp weather, which all know is so trying to young birds. The curd I have mentioned is prepared accord- ing to a recipe kindly sent to me by a friend who is a great Turkey-breeder, and I have found it excellent, both as food and medicine, the astrin- gent qualities acting as tonics, and my game- keeper has found it a most valuable prepara- tion for young pheasants, reared under hens. It is made as follows : — Mix one teaspoonful of pounded alum, with four quarts of milk slightly warmed, separate the whey from the curd, and give only the latter in a soft state. If judiciously and fully fed, Turkey male poults should weigh at least twenty pounds at Christ- mas, and that with only their natural feeding. Any other I repudiate, along with all those who have any experience in this breed. The classes of our domestic Turkeys are the Norfolk, Cambridge, and White. There is also a pretty buff-feathered bird, more to be admired, however, for its singularity than usefulness ; also a grey variety, sometimes called Virginian, small but elegant. TURKEYS. 175 Last, but not least, comes the Wild Ameri- can Turkey of the " forest primeval " — in form, slender and erect, of stately proportion, and dignity of mien — resembling its native pursuers, the chiefs of the prairie. It is impossible to conceive any tints more glowing than those which light up the plumage of this beautiful bird ; they are brilliant in the extreme ; a ground of brown, burnished with gold, ruby, and green, w'hich, in the sunbeam, has quite a dazzling aspect. Unless in the peacock, I know not of such exquisite hues, and in graceful bearing the Wild Turkey stands alone. !Many of the so-called wild birds sent to this country are hatched from eggs laid in the bush by domesticated hens, which, in accordance with their habits previously mentioned, often lay at great distances from home. The really Wild Turkeys are seldom seen in Great Britain ; they never breed, if shut up, they 176 BREEDS. are so shy and restless, lose all brightness of colour, and pine away. Their large woman-like, gentle dark eyes seem to reproach their gaoler, and their plaintive cry to plead for liberty ; I, for one, never resisted the appeal. They wander to incredible distances, if allowed free range. Hence the difl&culty of keeping the pure breed. Their long slender red legs appear made for traversing the fallen pines, and their close firm plumage for resisting the tangled brushwood. The hens will cross with our " domestic Cambridge," improve the constitution of that bird, and impart some of their native characteristics and beauty. Tor exhibition, the Norfolk Turkey must be in plumage, jet black (not a hlue black), free from any admixture of colour ; legs and feet the same. Camhridge may vary from pale grey to dark, with a deep metallic tint of brown ; legs, light in hue. Good matching is imperative; a dark cock must have dark hens, and a light cock light hens. This being attended to, size and weight decide the victory. GEESE. 177 6ccsc. These domestic Goliahs are generally divided into two classes, the White, or Embden, and the Grey, or Toulouse, equally advantageous in size, and other good qualities. The goose lays early, if well fed, and is cer- tainly a most profitable denizen of our poidtry yard, looking to the immense amount of food she contributes to the general use. The feathers and do\\Ti, alone, make Geese valuable stock, even though we do not follow the barbarous practice of plucking the poor creatures alive, once a-year, for the sake of them. I find the Turkey an excellent mother for goslings. The Goose wanders too far with them, and does not allow them to be familiar with their keeper, of whom, indeed, they soon can be quite independent, as they feed on grass, and forage M 178 BREEDS. well for themselves. Treated thus, however, they will never arrive at the size and weight of exhi- bition birds, and I therefore recommend a Turkey mother, or even a large common hen ; this latter will cover three eggs ; a Turkey seven; the period of incubation is 30 days. Goslings cannot be too highly fed; meal, grain, bread, onions, cabbage, &c., all, in abund- ance, should be set before them. Eats are their natural enemies, and from these they must be protected; in addition, a dry bed under cover is all they require in the way of night housing. Geese are much less hydropathically inclined than people fancy, and do not require more than a large trough to bathe in; the breeding stock, 5 in number (1 male and 4 females), should be of mature years. My ideas as to weights and points correspond with those of the unconquered (though I trust not the unconquerable) Mr Fowler, our " Magnus ApoUo." His experience is : — " Toulouse Geese should be tall and erect, with their bodies hanging on the ground ; light grey breast and body. GEESE. 179 Back, dark grey; necks, darker grey; wings and helly should shade off to white, but there should be little actual wliite visible; hills, pale flesh-colour, hard and strong ; legs and feet, deep orange, approacliing to red. "The weight of these birds, by careful feeding and management, has become extraordinary; 74 lbs. for three birds has been attained. The cup gander at Birmingham in 1859 weighed 33 lbs., and in 1860, 30 lbs.; the three, 71 lbs. The weight of geese may be from 20 to 25 lbs. "Goslings, at IVIichaelmas, often weigh 20 to 22 lbs. "J. K FowLEE." There are several semi-domesticated varieties of Geese. The only one I consider of any utility is the Chinese ; it lays a great number of eggs, and a cross between it and the Toulouse gives a deli- cious bird for the table. Their time of incuba- tion is about 35 days. ISO BREEDS. The goose resembles the gander in form and colour, and both have a dark brown stripe down the back of the neck. They are graceful in form, but have that greatest of all defects, a discordant voice, and, being very loquacious, it is a serious evil to be constantly exposed to their whining, discontented, harsh cry. On a distant piece of water, they look well, as they are peculiarly ele- gant in movement ; their colour is brown, shaded into white on the breast; hill, tuberculated and black; neck, long; feet and legs, black. Blossom-white plumage; hills, flesh-colour; legs dindifeet, orange. These birds attain great weights, and are valu- able in the market, on account of the superior quality and colour of the down, but, to look well, they must have access to a pond, and are there- fore alone available to those who possess this advantage. J RAKE DUCKS. 181 There is not a great variety in our domestic ducks ; only three distinct exhibition breeds exist, viz., the Aylesbury, Rouen, and Buenos Ayres or East Indian. They are very hardy, sleeping out of doors in all weathers, from preference. Of course, as in all poultry establishments, there should be a duck-house — a mere shed suffices, without door; but a yard is indispensable, if they are shut up at nightfall. Where two or more varieties are kept, they must not be allowed to mix at any season; therefore separate apartments become necessary. Both house and yard should be littered down with straw, frequently renewed. A duck sits faithfully, but is the worst pos- sible mother for her own progeny, as she waddles 182 BREEDS. ofl' with them as soon as hatched to her favourite element, generally leaving the half of her family immersed, unable to extricate themselves; hence the small broods of wild ducks generally seen — the delicate ones were, in all likelihood, drowned in their infancy. Ducks' eggs are better set under a hen, who will rear her foster chicks most tenderly; it is even advisable to give a valu- able hen duck's eggs to bring out, as she will have more liberty with them than with chickens, and (not being obliged to cover the young flock), will not have her plumage destroyed. Ducklings soon become independent of a mother's care, and, if protected from rats, can be cooped in numbers together, at night. Their food should consist at first of meal made into a paste, and given frequently; later, groats thrown into water. I find a square, flat, tin dish, the best vessel for this purpose, as also an iron hopper, a cut of which is appended, (fig. 8.) It is filled from the top, and, being heavy, cannot be upset, or the food wasted. Ducklings are sometimes afiected by cramp; BUCKS. Ibd this must be attributed to the absence of dry straw, or the presence of too deep water. Fig. 8. When fully grown, ducks should be fed only twice a-day, on soft food and any kind of grain, always in water; in their wanderings, they pick up a great deal very much to their taste ; they begin to lay regularly in February, often at Christmas, and continue many months. The eggs of the Eouen are large, and of a greenish-blue tint; a drake should not be allowed more than four females, or many of the eggs will prove imfertile. The wild drake is monogamous, and there is no doubt, to it, our domestic Kouen breed owes 184 BREEDS. its origin, though it now differs from it essen- tially. With respect to exhibition points, colour, and weights, I can give no information that will be so acceptable to my readers as that of Mr Fowler, the well-known agriculturist, and the most successful breeder of ducks known. I subjoin his kind remarks on this variety: — " Prebendal Farm, Aylesbury. " Rouen Drake should have a yellowish-green hill, without splash of black or any colour, ex- cept the black bean at the tip; it should be long, broad, and rather wider at the tip than the base, well set on to the front of the head. Head, rich, lustrous, green and purple; distinct white ring round the neclc, not quite meeting at the back; rich brown or claret breast, reaching low down to the water line. Back, dark-green ; body beautifully soft grey, almost coming to white near the tail ; tail, darkish green, and curls firm and black; wings, brownish, with broad ribbon mark of purple and white; on no account white flight feathers, this defect is fatal; legs, orange. DUCKS. 1S5 or brown and orange ; weight about 8 lbs., some- times 9 lbs. ; when heavier, some defect of plumage or bill is always found. "Rouen Buck — brown pencilling on a greyish body; the hack beautifully marked with blackish green on light brown base; ribbon mark and other colour of wings nearly like the drake; towards the tail the feathers should be well pencilled, quite to the tip. The head should be marked with three dark longitudinal stripes from the bill past the eye, and the neck on no account should have the least appearance of a white ring ; this would be as heretical as a white flight feather in the wings. The hill should be broad, long, and somewhat flat, brownish orange, with a dark blotch on the upper part ; a slate-coloured bill, or an absence of orange, is a sure disqualifica- tion ; legs, brown and orange. Weight of first- class birds, 7 lbs. It should be remarked that Rouen drakes change colour in an extraordinary manner ; they first resemble the ducks, then moult to their true colour, then back to the colour of ducks, and the fourth time moult to their original beauty. J. K. Fowlek." 186 BREEDS. Ayleshury Ducks. The great beauty of this breed consists in its snowy plumage; the delicate rose-coloured bill must also be admired. To obtain it without stain or blemish, free from yellow tinge, is the great aim of all Aylesbury breeders. A ferruginous soil, as I have experienced, affects the colour of the bill very much. Al- though correct as to tint, when brought to the fatal spot, in a few days the yellow shade makes its appearance, and can never be got rid of; true, old age produces this colour on any soil. The Aylesbury is admirable for its pure white downy feathers, and as it lays early, the duck- lings are always first in the market. The eggs are white, and excellent in flavour. Mr Fowler says : — "Aylesburys — purest white plumage all over ; hills, delicate flesh-colour, long and broad, and set on like the bill of a woodcock; any spots of black or yellow hue must disqualify ; legs, deep orange ; necks, fine and long. "Brake and duck quite alike, in form and colour. DUCKS. 187 " A first-rate drake weighs from 9 to 9^ lbs. ; ducks have weighed 9 lbs. "A good average pen of three, at a show, should weigh 23 or 24 lbs.; at Birmingham (where four are shown), 32 lbs. is a great weight. " It should be noticed that Aylesbury and Rouen Ducks, as well as geese, suffer much in weight from travelling; quite as much as 1 to 1 \ lbs. each on a journey of fifty miles ; geese, perhaps, even more. " East Indian Ducks should be all of a rich lustrous greenish black, with a perfect absence of white feathers ; dark legs and bills. The bill of the drake, dark greenish yellow; a brown breast is inadmissible. They should be as light in weight as possible ; as little as 2 lbs. each would be desirable. "J. K Fowler." Pj ©felt (B^txmtt — ♦ — " Richard loves Richard ; that is, I am I." — Shakspeare, " Poet of all time," gracing the closing chapter of even the struggling " Henwife ;" yes, immortal Bard of Avon ! little did you think, when you penned these words, that you might have owed fame to her page, had not the veneration of your posterity forestalled it ! ! To carry out my principle of practicality, I now treat of "my own experience;" egotist, necessarily, I must be, in so doing ; but without some measure of self-esteem, we could not be conscious of our own identity, and no such being could have shown forth as a Patriot, or a suc- cessful Poultry Exhibitor. I write, however, in no vainglorious spirit ; I have been beaten too often to boast ; my wish only is to show what amount of success may be achieved by a novice, such as I was a few years ago, in exhibition, though not in table, Poultry. Feeling the utter hopelessness of winning any honours with my own stock, I commenced my 192 MY OWN EXPERIENCE. career by purchasing, in " ]\Ierrie England," a splendid pen of Dorkings, which carried all before it, at my first and second exhibition, in Scotland ; so I began well, and though, of course, I buy, every year, for change of blood, I now breed my own exhibition fowls, — ay, and sell to others for that purpose ; and have even been beaten by my own birds showTi against me. To breed successfully, one must part with the good as well as the indifferent, when too nearly allied, and, though loath to lose them, go they must, either privately or by public sale, which latter is always more satisfactory, both to feeling and purse ; if good, the birds fetch high prices, and there can be no after-reproach ; the public fixes its own rate, and relieves you from that responsibility, which is no small one. It is always extremely difficult to know how much an intending purchaser will give ; you fear to lose a customer, and also to ask too little ; it is inherent in human nature to love a good bargain. From year to year, I have added to my hen- houses and yards, till I have arrived at the grand total of forty-two separate runs ; many of a very 2IT OWN EXPERIENCE. 193 rude and primitive construction. Some are on the plan given in page 29 ; otliers are erected at the edge of plantations and shrubberies, as shown in annexed cut (fig. 9.) These have no yards, as Fig 9, the occupants enjoy complete liberty ; there I place my choicest breeding pens, free from all restraint, thus giving them the best chance of retaining health and vigour. When the hens become broody, and are re- N 194 JfY OWiV EXPERIENCE. moved to the sitting-houses, chickens take pos- session, and remain till the sale in the early year, which makes room for their successors. " Wel- come the coming, speed the parting guest." The 'parent cocks, meanwliile, are shut up in the yard-houses with a few hens of any variety, in order to keep up a succession of cross-bred chickens for the table. I have found the advantage of a number of small houses with covered-in wire runs, (move- able at pleasure to fresh ground), a drawing of which I give (fig. 10.) I'ig. 10. Some of these yards are of glass, laced over with wire, the houses in both cases being alike detached, but fitting closely to the runs (fig. 11.) Mr OWIf^ EXPERIENCE. 195 These "Crystal Palaces" answer admirably for a brood of early chickens, protecting them from rain, wind, frost, and snow, and affording the ad- vantage of their receiving every ray of sunshine Fig. 11. attainable at the season. In this variable climate I never feel confidence in the weather till May is out ; before that, it is often damp and chilly. The houses are 6 feet high and 4 square ; tlie yards only 4 feet high, G long, and 4 wide. The roofs are wooden, covered with waterproof felt ; ventilation in the houses is secured by small holes pierced in the end, and, on fine days (when the hen is allowed to sally forth with her family), I leave the door open till her return. At aU other times it is locked, and the only egress is by 196 MF 0 WJV EXPERIENCE. a trap into the run, the end of which opens like a door, and can thus easily be cleaned out. The interior of these houses is fitted up with a row of nests ; occasionally I set two hens in these, and when the broods are hatched, give all the chickens to one. Beinor protected from cold, they are not too many, the mother feels herself at home, and the chickens are comparatively in a natural condition ; they even winter very com- fortably in these houses and runs. I find them very useful for a pen of fowls put up for exhibi- tion (in which case a moveable perch is required) ; and for chickens deserted by their mother at too tender an age, when they demand the greatest care ; also for many other exigencies. In a sheltered spot, facing south, I have a large lean-to glass-house, divided into three com- partments, each large enough to contain twenty chickens, with a mother hen. This house is warmed by a stove, and ventilated by sliding boards — this enables me to rear chickens in January ; but care must be taken to air the buUding well — leaving the doors open in fine weather — to let the chickens run out at will MY OWN EXPERIENCE. 197 In summer, all my small houses are placed on grass, in winter, on dry earth, against a beech hedge, facing the west; twice a- week they are moved to fresh ground: if done regularly, and in line, the ground has time to freshen during each remove. When not in use, I have the runs set aside so as to leave the pasture perfectly clear; the grass springs up luxuriantly, and should be mown at intervals. Lime is sprinkled over the portion of the park allotted to them, which keeps it free from taint. Fig. 12. Coop, with wire range, (fig. 12), is specially 198 MF OWJV EXPERIENCE. useful for the nio-lit-housmo; of ducklino-s and goslings; indeed, these tempting morsels easily fall a prey to rats, — they seem their favourite dainties. Chickens they do not touch, unless pressed by hunger, which, perhaps fortunately, is impossible, where so much food can be had for the taking; yet I have had twenty-seven duck- lings and three gosKngs carried off in one night. Fin. 13. For hens and turkeys which must be confined for a part of each day, (and many altogether, if they fight with and ill-use stranger chickens), coop, fig. 13, is essential. The bars of this should J/F 0 V^'N EXPERIENCE. 199 be rounded, two inches apart; in the middle a flat spar, which, when taken out, permits the egress of the hen. If wooden floors and shutters are wished, they should be made to slide, and more than one for each coop will be requisite; (mine are washed, and put up to dry every second day) ; hence the necessity for duplicates. Fig. 14. Coop, fig. 14, is a mere frame of wire, which is employed to secure a refractory hen, while her proper abode is being cleaned, or as a safe- 200 MY 0 WjV experience. guard for the food devoted to the chickens ; they have access to it through the wire, and they only. Goslings and ducklings, alone of all young stock, should have food always before them ; they eat little at a time, and (for exhibition), require to be pushed on and tempted. I have no special houses, coops, or troughs for Turkeys. They require none; but live in a semi- wild state after the first month, during which the young poults associate with the chickens — the mother being confined in the coop before- mentioned, except an hour or two each day. Sometimes, when all my little domiciles are full, I am obliged, hon gre, mal grh, to let my broods wander at large; the strong chickens take no harm, and, perhaps, this roving gipsy life makes them even less liable to disease. Many deaths, however, must occur among the weakly birds; doubtless a provision of nature, in order that the one may not hamper the other. The mother walks off with the utmost sang froid, leaving her helpless babes sprawling on the ground, uttering piteous little cries for help. MY 0 ]VJ^ EXPERIENCE. 201 quite disregarded and neglected; — they are left alone to die. WTien the time comes to draft off the chickens to their adolescent ranges, I carefully select the most promising for the superior ones, putting all the best of one kind there, and mixing the worst indiscriminately together in inferior houses and situations; from these the table and market are supplied. The points of Dorkings, Brahmas, Spanish, &c., can be pretty well guessed when the hen leaves the brood. I put about twenty chickens into each hut, and from time to time, take away any that have fallen off in looks since their location there, to make room for those of a better stamp. I thus weed my runs to the best of my judgment, and a little experience soon malces it comparatively easy to pick out, and do away with, the worst. Even with the greatest care, some thrive better than others; these are the "lights and shadows" of poultry life. How often does a single bird represent a brood, if the season proves unfavour- able to delicate varieties; such I do not recom- 202 J/r OWN EXPERIENCE. mend to be hatched early ; they cost us too much in care and affection. Slight defects in comb or claw are not fatal to the chickens' merits as table fowls; I, therefore, feed such as well as the very best, but do not crowd my intended prize-winners with them. I keep an exact (even fastidious) account of all dates and numbers in my Poultry Diary, for cor- rectly filling up schedules, arranging my sale catalogue, and for my own general satisfaction. Each day the number of eggs laid is noted down ; the houses are all numbered, and the figure of that in which the egg is found, marked on it by the collector, who need not know one sort of fowl from another. / alone arrange the eggs in their different baskets, writing on the shell with pencil the date and speciality. Chickens, as they are hatched, are entered in the Diary, as also the fowls killed for table and market, at their respective values. Wlien my assistant henwife receives orders for settings of eggs, I mark them down in due order, that each purchaser may be supplied according to MY OWN EXPERIENCE. 203 the date of application; on the day wished, I select the eggs myself, and superintend tlie pack- ing of them. This is the form of hamper used (fig. 1 5) ; they are made by my OAvn gardeners, and answer the purpose admirably. Fig, 16. ^IJ > • ^':\\< Willow Sitting-hou=ft Having before advised my readers to preserve all supernumerary eggs of summer, I now give tliem my own recipe for so doing. Once a-week I clear my baskets, selecting only perfectly formed eggs; the slightest fracture or imperfection in the shell would cause the failure of a whole batch. I place the eggs carefully in a jar, and pour over them lime-water^ which is made by dissolving 208 i/r 0 WN EXPERIENCE. quicklime, in the proportion of two pounds to four gallons of water ; this must stand a day, at least, till the residue has settled at the bottom of the vessel; the clearer portion is then poured over the eggs, so as to cover them. Should the jar not be fall, fresh eggs are added from time to time, and as the lime water rises, it is poured into another jar, ready to be filled in like manner. Some use salt for preserving eggs ; I have tried it, and found it worse than useless. It hardens the yolk, and renders the egg uneat- able. Be careful that the eggs are at least an inch below the surface of the water; place a plate, or lid of wood, over them, to prevent their floating ; tie up the jar, and label it, stating the date, and number of dozens. These eggs are only worth, perhaps, sixpence a-dozen at the time, but when you use them (which will be in the scarce season, for they keep good many months), they will be worth Is. 4d. at least. For even culinary purposes foreign eggs, — the collection of months, — find ready purchasers at i MF 0 TTiT EXPERIENCE. 209 that price; but, (were preserved eggs more in use), we would not be so dependent on our gallant allies for a winter pudding; the sun's partiality makes us owe the juice of the grape to the " Gallic cock," but we have no occasion to be indebted to his hens. Our own poultry yards should furnish our tables; there need be no limit to our supply of eggs and poultry, — at present, not, by any means, equal to the demand ; for a bountiful and " all- the-year-round " stock, I ask only a fair trial of my advice. Every one has experienced the scarcity of poultry in the country; a dire necessity exists for reform, — let us have it, and we shall no longer be obliged to eat things — called chickens — too often to be classed only with Pharaoh's "lean kine." AYe have brighter hopes for the future, we will no longer give the "pas" to our continental dealers; we shall equal them, and then cry, Libert^, ^galiU, f rater niU. Farmers say that "Poultry rearing is unprofit- able, won't pay, that prices are small," &c., — so 210 MY 0 WN EXPERIENCE. are the chickens, — make them larger, and prices TTiust rise. The importation of eggs and poultry from abroad is enormous; I do grudge to see our farmers throw away so great a source of profit. All keep poultry on a greater or lesser scale, thereby admitting the necessity of such stock, — now, if kept at all, let it be of remunerative kinds. My maxim is, " Whatever is worth doing, is worth doing well," — and I would rather see our agricul- tural husbands " hen-pecked '* all their lives, than beaten by foreigners. Let us give our neighbours useful lessons in poultry, as in the management of the farm, and they must succumb, in spite of their more genial climate. Perhaps my little book may assist in this laudable endeavour; a certain degree of know- ledge is necessary to organize a system. I assure my readers mine is not merely theory; they may judge of this by my facts. To back up this pretension, figures are requisite, and they are forthcominff. MYOWN^ EXPERIENCE. 21 1 " The farm-yard " is patronized by royalty, and deaUngs in stock — not despised; many ladies take an interest in the "Dairy;" I advise their turning their attention to the "Poultry-yard" as well, — thereby giving a stimulus to the breeders of fine poultry, and certainly benefiting their ovm manages by the introduction of such. At the risk of even my word being doubted by the ignorant, I subjoin the weights of Turkeys, Geese, Ducks, Dorkings, Cochins, &c., from my own yards. Only those who have real experience in modern poultry will credit the weights to which they have attained, by judicious breeding and feeding. A friend of mine, the other day, spoke (with a mixture of surprise and incredulity) of a Torkey he knew of, which was said to weigh 20 lbs. His surprise was considerably increased when one was pointed out to him weighing 34 lbs., which was strutting about in my yard in all its pride, the consequential protector of twenty hens, the best of which would rival the weight of the cock that caused so much astonishment to the Qo\4ce. 212 MY OWN EXPERIENCE. I had once a Turkey that weighed 40 lbs., but alas! he is no more, though he lives in his pos- terity. I consider the following good exhibition weights, where they are an element of success. which, in many merely fancy varieties. is not the case — colouring and condition being the deside- rata:— Turkey Cock, . 25 to 30 lbs. „ Hen, . . 17 „ 20 „ Toulouse Gander, . . 25 V 30 „ Goose, . . 20 » 24 „ Grey Dorking Cock, . 10 „ 12 „ Hen, . 8 „ 10 „ Rouen Drake, . . 7 J, 8| „ „ Duck, . 6J » * » Aylesbury Drake, . . 8 >» " }) „ Duck, . . n » 8| „ Cochin Cock, . 10 12 „ Hen, . . 8 >J " « Brahma Pootra Cock, . 10 „ 12 „ „ „ Hen, . 8 » " )> I may mention that a p en of two goslings I sent to Birmingham, in Dec .ember, 1860, weighed M7 0 WN EXPERIENCE. 2 1 3 42 lbs., their age being five months. Three Dork- ing pullets (six months' old) I sent to the same show weighed 23 i lbs. My own expenses are, perhaps, greater than are required. Poultry is my "hobby," and I ride it. My " staff" numbers three, — a man and two women; my own valuable services must not be lost sight of, — a galaxy of talent — at least we think so, and that is the same thing. Fortunately there are full lists of our prizes and precedents, during past years, to refer to. I do not think they will show I have been a laggard in the fray; badinage apart, we have been given laurels, and gratefully wear them. Not the least pleasure of social life is that of making friends, and retaining them by the inter- change of ideas and experience on a subject of common interest. Such is the mysterious and cabalistic tie which binds poultry-fanciers together, that, without even an introduction, they look upon each other as friends, and are delighted to acknowledge the freemasonry that exists among them. From a simple question about poultry has 214 MY OWN EXPERIEISrCE. arisen a personal friendship, and the kindest pos- sible feeling; how pleasant a chat upon poultry can be, is only known to the initiated few. The cottager seeks for information from his wealthier (in poultry) neighbour, and it is for him I enjoy the small country shows, if conducted on an amiable and friendly footing; they are the annual exponents of poultry progress, and a true lover of poultry will take defeat in good part, provided he feels sure that he has been fairly dealt with ; though disappointed, he will bear no malice ; but justice there must be, to avoid grumb- lings and heart-burnings. Now for my " Balance Sheet," — dreadful words to not a few! Bear in mind that the profits and expenses of exhibition about make an even balance in the debit and credit account, and are therefore excluded ; if I hxiy at shows, I sell also, and in the long-run nothing is lost. I give my regular yearly expenses, and returns of private and market sales — including the value of poultry- yard produce used in my household. Had profit been my sole object in poultry- rearino-, I could have shown a much larger credit J/r OWN EXPERIENCE. 215 account, for I should not, in that ease, have put prohibitory prices on my exhibition pens, but sold them at a remunerative rate. I have refused sLxteen guineas for two favourite goslings, and more than once ten for a Dorking cockerel — money could not buy them. I have always found my prizes pay expenses of exhibition in Scotland. It is different when a long journey has to be undertaken to London, Liverpool, and Birmingham. Fame, however, there acquired, sells eggs and stock. [Bajai^ce Sheet. lalaita Poultry on Hand— Bbebdino Stock. 15th February, 1861. 14 Geese at Market value 25 Turkeys at 10s. 15 Rouen Ducks at 2s. . 6 Buenos Ayres Ducks at 23. 55 Dorkings at 2s. 36 Brahmas at 28. 15 Buff Cochins at 2s. . 25 White Cochins at 2s. 12 CrSve Coeurs at 2s. . 30 Cross-bred Hens for Setting at 2s. L.7 0 0 12 10 0 1 10 0 0 12 0 5 10 0 3 12 0 1 10 0 2 10 0 1 4 0 3 0 0 The manure from the poultry houses, which is very valuable, in fact the Receipts, 1860. Eggs sold at Market Poultry sold at market prices Eggs for household, do. Poultry for household, do. Eggs sold for setting Poultry sold for breeding Feathers and Down I'Dultry sold by public aucticaj L.38 18 0 able, in fact the L.18 8 0 12 6 6 11 4 0 34 5 0 36 16 0 53 12 6 5 11 3 148 15 6 Balance brought down Balance brought down Total profits, . L.320 18 9 . L.17 1 0 9 16 0 L.26 17 0 Sb«t. Poultry on Hand— Bbeedino Stock. 15th Fdmiary, 1860. 5 Geese at Market value 10 Turkeys at 10s. 10 Ducks at 2s. 36 Dorkings at 2s. 36 Brahmas at 2s. 10 Buff Cochins at 2s. . 10 White Cochins at 2s. 6 Golden-Pencilled Hamburghs at 28. 8 Crgve Coeurs at 2s. . 5 Bantams at Is. 25 Hens bought in for Setting at 28. Balance carried down L.2 10 0 5 0 0 1 0 0 3 12 0 3 12 0 10 0 10 0 0 12 0 0 16 0 0 5 0 2 10 0 L.21 17 0 17 1 0 L.33 18 0 richest Guano, I consider quite an equivalent for the straw and hay used. EXPENSE.S, 1860. Wages . Grain and Oatmeal Paring Meal (or Thirds) Bran Indian Com Hemp Seed Buckwheat and Linseed Eggs for Setting Medicine Ale and Beer . , Bread . . , Meat Advertising and Dairy . Carpenter- Work and Wire Wicker- Work, Setting Coops Cutlery . Feeding and Drinking Vesselg Balance carried down L.80 0 0 115 7 0 23 5 0 3 2 6 31 16 9 6 2 9 3 8 0 6 17 0 2 1 0 5 10 0 5 15 3 3 14 3 14 3 6 7 1 3 1 13 0 0 7 0 0 18 6 9 16 0 L.820 18 9 218 3fF OWJi EXPERIENCE. I must leave it to the reader to put a price on my own personal labour, time, &c.; do not set them do^vn at too low a figure. All dainty food I distribute with my own hands, or give it in charge to one who is acquainted with the wants and circimistances of my favouiites. Even as late as ten o'clock, on a summer night, I may be seen, basket in hand, containing vinegar, oil, and other " impedimenta," making the round of the houses and coops, in which some of the occupants require the different medicines. Should roup unfortunately appear, a regular routine of washing is established ; a small basin for vinegar, and a sponge, are produced from my basket, and every night, and every morning, each sufferer is attended to. Such care is rewarded by the speedy recovery of the patients, and then I gladly lay aside the physic for the food, and rejoice the hearts of the convalescents with some little additional treat. They all know me quite well, and. at the JfV 0 TPiV EXPERIENCE. 219 usual hour of feeding, will come far on the way to meet me ; I am proud to have them about me. • • • • " He prayeth well that loveth well Both man, and bird, and beast ; He prayeth best, who loveth best All things, both great and small ; For the dear God who loveth us, He made, and loves them all." " No man can tether time or tide," this is beyond the energies even of the " Henwife," and I must now make my conge, a book not being (as were Othello's " bloody thoughts") — " Like to the Pontic Sea, Whose icy current and compxilsive course Ne'er feels retiring ebb, but keeps due on To the Propontic and the Hellespont." I would not lag " superfluous on the stage : " sweet is the sailor's rest when the voyage is over, and sweet the Author's dreams when the toil is ended. Many, perhaps, have deemed me a fanatic, and have, long since, thrown away my book as the raving of a monomaniac. 220 MY OTfiT EXPERIENCE. But all have not the same tastes, and if any have been my unwearied companions through the pleasant fields of Poultry, I thank them with a warm and grateful heart. With such, "parting" is, indeed, " sweet sorrow." "Parewell, — a word that must be, and has been.'* Farewell — kind reader. Xhe Henwife's Own Basket. 1 ^\t pcntoifc^s f atcr ^^nmt Since this volume was first published, " The Henwife " has contributed many valuable papers on the subject of poultry to the Farmer news- paper. With the exception of much that was nearly a repetition of what is contained in this work, these have been rearranged in their pre- sent form, and cannot fail to be acceptable to all lovers of poultry. They still retain their journalistic style, but that can readily be over- looked in the useful information they contain. C^icluns mxH guchliitgs. In the early spring it is quite necessary for all good henwives to look forward, and, with all the knowledge we possess or can acquire from the 222 CHICKENS AND DUCKLINGS. experience of others, make every needful arrange- ment for the future. I gladly, therefore, contri- bute my mite in further aiding such endeavours with what I may know on the subject. Every well-regulated poultry-yard should be able early in April to display a sufficient number of late-hatclied chickens to supply the table until those of this year's hatching are ready for use ; and there should also be abundance of eggs for the use of the household and for setting. All superfluous stock should have been disposed of, either by private or public sale, during the month of January, and the different yards made up for the breeding season — say one cock and six hens in each. Already, there should be seen chickens of two months old — perhaps future prize-takers — if not, at all events birds valuable for table use. The work of setting must be proceeded with regularly and rapidly. Give only nine eggs to the hen ; make the nest on a layer of ashes, with hay, under which put a fresh green turf; sprinkle the eggs slightly every day with tepid water ; keep the hen off the nest a quarter of an hour till she feeds, and during that time the CHICKEXS AND DUCKLINGS. 22Z different nests can be examined, cleaned, &c. In case of frost, it is desirable to have a flue in the sitting-house, so that a little heat may be given at night ; none is necessary during the day, nor at all for the laying-houses. The food sup- plied gives sufficient warmth. This should be of thirds — sometimes called sharps — slaked with water, made overnight, and given as early as possible in the morning ; at mid-day (for the second meal), a little minced liver or cooked meat of any kind, hemp-seed, and any green food procurable at this season ; at four o'clock, for the last meal, give as much grain as they will pick up — light wheat or barley is the best, and, in addition, a little Indian corn, but this last sparingly, as it tends to fatten too much, and I need not say that all breeding birds should be in stock condition. Very heavy fowls seldom either lay or breed well. Setting-hens are not plentiful at this time. One is indebted to kind neighbours for all their spare setters. It is a good plan to place a number of early-hatched pullets of all kinds that sit well in a yard with any cocks reserved to fill up vacancies by casu- 224 CHICKENS AND DUCKLINGS. alties. These pullets lay soon, and from them early sitters are supplied. Chickens should hatch on the twenty-first day, or a few hours later at furthest. Save removing the empty shells, do not interfere with the nest for twenty-four hours ; then put the mother and her brood into a coop ; feed with oatmeal and paring- meal, equal parts, mixed wdth water into a crumbling state, or bread soaked in milk and squeezed dry ; give the chicks twice daily a little water to driiik, but do not leave it beside them. Some writers on poultry advise the removal of the little scale from the tip of the chickens' bill, but this practice is as cruel as it is unnecessary. Where it is possible, the mother and her brood may with great advantage be placed under a shed in their coop for a few days until the chickens become strong on the leg, when they can be cooped out on dry earth or gravel. Chickens are liable to cramp, and although access to grass is advantageous, close confinement to it is not so at every time. A gravel walk near grass is the best possible site for a poultry coop until the chickens are old and stronir enough to seek for shelter CIIICKEXS AXD DUCKLiyGS. 22r, from damp or cokl. They can then be removed to less-favoured quarters, and give place to newly- liatched broods. Following this practice system- atically, numbers may be reared in a small space. A little fresh gravel or sand must occasionally be strewed over the ground, and it must be swept daily. It is useful to leave little heaps of sand here and there ?is> play-grounds for the chickens; they scrape and half bury themselves in the dust, thereby ridding their little bodies of troublesome insects. After the third day from hatching, chickens may have an increased dietary, such as eggs boiled hard, mixed up with the shell ; bread soaked in beer ; cooked meat minced ; a few grains of hemp-seed, buckwheat, and groats — all in addition to their former food. The hen, of course, must be plentifully supplied with the usual food of the poultry-yard. After the first week chickens may be allowed free access to water. The best water dishes are made of tin, 1^ inches deep, the middle filled up, leaving only a narrow channel for water ; or what is equally good, and more easily obtained, flower-pot saucers inverted one into the other. 226 CHICKENS AND DUCKLINGS. All persons conversant with poultry matters allow that, in order to secure early-hatched chickens, it is a necessity to have Cochin hens to act as mothers. Dorkings, &c., may lay during winter, but they rarely sit until their usual time, which is spring. Cochins, on the contrary, sit three or four times a year, and as they are good winter layers, if young, they can be depended upon to hatch the eggs of all tardy sitters. For this purpose alone, therefore, Cochins would be valuable additions to our stock ; but I consider them besides very beautiful birds. Their soft downy feathering, of such exquisite tints of yellow and maize, all ladies must admire, and the true types of the high-caste Cocliins are of handsome, massive build, majestic carriage, large size, and (which is but little known) very short on the leg. They are hardy, docile, aiid very productive ; their eggs are not large, but by no means so small as those of the Hamburgs. They bear confinement well, and a fence three feet high is sufficient to keep them within bounds. They require no perch in their houses, preferring the floor, which must, however, be littered down CIIICKEXS AM) DUCKLIMJH. 227 with straw, as in a stable, and as regularly re- newed, for the feathering is so delicate in colour and texture that it is easily soiled and ruffled by damp. I do not consider Cochins good table fowls unless when quite young, and I conse- quently advise their being kept principally as egg-layers and sitters. Pure-bred birds com- mand high prices, and at all our principal shows the classes fill well. Each fancier has her or his individual taste regarding colour, and, as the varieties are numerous, if the points and qualities are good, colouring only holds a secondary place. White Cochins, from the contrast of the scarlet comb, yellow bill, and snowy plumage, are pe- culiarly attractive, and they are quite as robust as the coloured birds, but they must have a clean grass run, and be seen only under a pure sky. They are apt to become yellow if exposed much to the sun ; so require a shaded yard — if the birds are intended for exhibition — the yellow tinge being a great disqualification. To tho.se who have the wish to breed early chickens for market, I confidently recommend crossing the Cochin hen with a Dorking cock. The chickens 228 CHICKENS AND DUCKLINGS. will feather more quickly than the pure-bred Cochins, which are backward in fledging ; and although there may be a shade of yellow in the skin at that early season, say in March, poul- terers cannot be fastidious, and I have known them thankful to pay high prices for chickens that would be almost worthless later. There is no doubt Cochins are very productive when properly managed ; and I strongly advise the introduction at once of a few hens into all poultry-yards, feeling sure they will give satisfaction on trial. Chickens hatched in January should have assumed the plumage of adult birds by the middle of June, and many will have begun to lay — thus keeping up the supply of eggs during the moulting season. These young fowls will sit in the autumn, and a continued succession of chickens will thus be secured. Fewer are re- quired during winter, as they are only for table use. The great bulk of hatching should be proceeded with during the six months from February to July. Ducklings should now be making their appear- ance, and, if well fed, will be fit for table use in CHICKENS AND DUCKLINGS. 229 the first week of June, when green peas may be confidently looked for as their natural accom- paniment. For a fortnight keep the hen cooped on grass, giving the ducklings access to a small enclosure — temporary, of course, as it must be moved daily. Feed with soft food — groats thrown into a shallow dish kept always full of water, in which may be a fresh turf ; a little buckwheat, linseed, and hemp-seed, with crusts of bread — all, when well soaked, are greedily devoured by ducklings. I prefer a hen to a duck mother, as being more easily managed, and not requiring a daily bath. Gt)slings can also be reared successfully under hens, and the earliest eggs (three to each hen) should be set as soon as laid, leaving the latest for the goose herself. The Toulouse breed lays freely, sometimes thirty eggs before showing any inclination to sit. They are fond of all green food — cabbage, lettuce, spinach, &c., in addition to soft food and grain. The goose mother is very exclusive, and is jealous of any interference with her young, and though careful, and seldom losing any by illness or acci- dent, she cannot, owing to her wandering habits 230 DISEASES I.V CHICKEXS. and naturally frugal fare, build up prize goslings. To attain to the enormous weights required, high feeding is de rigueur. gisea^es hi C Inch cits. In spring the weather is generally very trying for young chickens. They have then much to strive against — and happy those breeders who can say they have not suffered in stock from the pre- valence of cold winds, showers of rain and sleet, with treacherous glimpses of sun, wnich, like a false friend, smiles upon us only to leave us in the hour of trial and weakness. It is then that roup and other diseases will probably appear, with the usual fatal results. Much, however, may be done, by care and experience, to ward off the malady, and I am glad to be able to come to the assistance of desponding fellow-henwives, and give them a recipe for the benefit of their valuable young birds. If roup, though a very deadly disease, has made its appearance, it can be cured. Put into each drinking vessel a piece of camphor, and as it dissolves replace it. If DISEASES IN CIIICKEXS. 231 the weather is damp, dust a little jiounded pimento into the food, in the proportion of one teaspoon- ful to twenty-four chickens. For the first week do not allow the hen to leave her coop, unless you can put her under cover and confine her to a wired-in range. Roup generally attacks chick- ens when the feathers begin to appear. It will probably have owed its origin to the bad weather remarked upon ; but breeders must also be care- ful that over-crowding has not had a share in producing the evil. Take care, therefore, not to overstock your ground ; if crowded, chickens cannot thrive. In wet weather it is necessary to put very young chickens under cover, and it is difficult to find space for all to be comfortably housed, and yet sufficiently apart. If possible, howevet", separate your coops, and on the first appearance of disease remove the brood to a distance, and make it your special care. Mere removal to fresh ground often effects a cure. Very young chickens cannot bear much hand- ling, and every other means should be tried before having recourse to the medicine bottle. The symptoms of roup are gasping, hoarse- 232 DISEASES IN CHICKENS. ness, and loss of appetite. If the birds attacked are not valuable, I strongly urge their being put out of pain and of sight at once, thereby stamp- ing-out the disease in our poultry-yards. Put only your very best chickens under medicinal treatment, and administer to thern the following remedies : — A piece of camphor the size of a pea, a few drops of castor-oil, and wash the nostrils and inside of mouth with vinegar. For this purpose, use a small sponge. Vinegar is very cleansing, removing the mucus which collects in the throat. Take the scale off the tongue ; this is done by holding the bill open with the left hand, and scraping off the hard point with the thumb-nail of the right. This operation can only be performed upon strong well-grown chickens. The more the tongue bleeds the better. Continue the washing with vinegar morning and evening until the gushing ceases, and the appetite returns. Every morning fill the drinking vessels with water, to which has been added the restorative, the recipe of which is as follows : — " 1 lb. of sulphate of iron and 2 oz. sulphuric acid, dis- solved in 1 J gallons of boiling water. When cold DISEASES nv CHICKENS. 233 bottle it, and use in the proportion of one tea- spoonful to a pint of water." At all times and to all poultry this tonic may be given with ad- vantage, particularly in the moulting season, or when the birds have been weakened by exhibition. Chickens, especially Brahmas, suffer much from slow feathering. In cold weather it is very trying, and some will sink under it. The cure is good housing and high feeding. Bread soaked in ale, given once a day, or oftener, if not grudr/ed ; crushed bones, curd, eggs ; in fact, everything that is conducive to strength and health. I have seen (fortunately not often) chickens suf- fering from noxious animalculte, which literally prey upon the bodies of the poor little things. It maybe the mother has been too closely confined, or perhaps not allowed daily access to her dust bath, or the coop has not been cleansed sufficiently often. In any case, it shows bad management, for such a disease should be unknown in a well-appointed poultry-yard. The cure is simple enough — snuff or sulphur dusted into the feathers of the hen chickens ; but when the latter have suffered and severely from the attacks of their enemies, and 234 YOUNO STOCK. become ragged in feather, and almost naked, the snuff or sulphur should be mixed with lard, and rubbed in by the hand. During warm weather, the hen-houses, and especially the sitting- house, should be kept scrupulously clean. Occa- sionally sprinkle a little water over the floors and nests, and upon the wetted parts scatter sulphur mixed with ashes. The hen-house is so frequently visited by the lady or gentleman manager and their friends, that cleanliness be- comes a sine qua non, and perfect security from the inroads of all parasites must be guaranteed. When May sets in, our poultry-yards teem with daily-increasing life, and we must be very busy with the care of our young stock. Pick out indifferent early chickens now, and kill them as required for the table. There are always some with faulty claws or combs, and upon such high feeding and special care are wasted ; therefore slay and eat all doubtful chickens, and hatch more — the greater the YOUNG STOCK. 233 number to choose from, of course, the better the chance of prize-birds. Remove the superior chickens to choice situations, separating the pullets from the cockerels, as in this way diflFer- ent breeds can be kept together at one range. From time to time weed out any that are de- ficient in points, and fill up their places with fresh recruits. The great work of setting is nearly over ; but a few pens may still be set for the purpose of keeping up a regular supply of chickens throughout the year. The henwife's time will be fully occupied with the many young broods now demanding constant care and watchfulness. Geese, ducks, chickens, and turkeys will all be abundant. Turkeys should be set so as to hatch about the same time, as they go together in large flocks ; and being generally put as far as possible from the rest of the poultry, it would require too much labour to look after broods of different ages. Turkey eggs hatch on the thirty-first day, and for a week the chicks should be treated in a similar manner to those of the common hen, but after that they require more green food. Chopped onions, 236 YOUNG STOCK. nettles, docks, and cresses are much relished, mixed uj? with meal. A little fresh curd, hard- boiled eggs, bread, groats, and buckwheat, are also favourite items of their daily diet. Coop the hens on grass, and do not, for the first fortnight, allow them free range. After that, let them out during the day, when fine and the ground quite dry. Turkeys are careful, gentle mothers, but the chicks are delicate, and in damp seasons defy all care. They must have shelter from too hot sun, as well as occasional showers, for at least two months. When the weather is very warm and sunny at this season, this is a good time to dispose of adult birds of all kinds, thus making room for the young. I would advise poultry-rearers to exercise their discretion, and allow the mother hens to roam at large with her young brood for a few hours daily, care being taken that she does not wander too far ; but if she seeks the shade and shelter of a hedge or plantation, and there takes her dust-hath, and scrapes up food for her young, the less she is interfered with the better. Place water near, and throw down the usual food for SCMMER MANAGEAfENT. 237 the chickens; but never allow them to go out till the dew is off the ground, or leave them out after sunset. .^ummtr l^nnitgcmcnt. When summer has fairly set in, poultry-keepers cannot be too seriously warned against exposing their young broods to the full force of the sun. Turn the coops so as partially to afford shade ; but by far the best plan is to let the mother wander at large with her little flock. A few branches of evergreens stuck into the groimd will afford a very simple and yet efficient shelter. Turkeys take refuge in the long grass, and it is a good plan to cut strips at regular distances throughout, on which place the coops, and the poults can roam at large. Shift the coops to fresh ground every day, and see that the poor imprisoned mothers are well fed, and supplied daily with green food, such as cabbage, or what- ever is not required as being too coarse for the food of the young. The adult fowls that are shut up in yards are much to be pitied in warm weather ; see, then, that their water dishes are 238 SUMMER MANAGEMENT. frequently refilled, and that they get as much green food as possible. In each yard there should be a low shed erected, under which they can shelter themselves and take their dust bath. Moulting has begun, and as this is a drain on the constitution of birds closely confined, high feeding is necessary. They have good appetites during this period, and, if properly attended to, and nourishing food freely administered to supply the waste, their poor denuded bodies will soon be again covered with smooth, firm plumage, which is the surest indication of good health in poultry. Old mortar or lime rubbish should be scattered over the yards, or placed in a heap in a corner. Fowls are very fond of it, and it is conducive to their health. A little citrate of iron may be given, dissolved in ale, and added to the soft food ; and at all times give the fowls a few burnt oyster shells. In April it is well to lay in a store, and burn them when required. This, if properly done, calcines the shell, when it can be easily broken with the fingers. Hens frequently eat their eggs ; if of little value, kill the offender at once, for she may infect the others ; but I have SUMMER 2rANA0EMENT. 239 found that if the laying-house is kept quite dark, hens are not so apt to indulge in this evil pro- pensity : absence of lime frequently causes it, and once the habit is acquired, it is impossible to cure it effectually. Many recommend chalk nest-eggs, but I have tried them without any good result. As some of my readers may wish to diminish the expense of their poultry-keeping, I suggest their sending early chickens to market. If good enough — that is, with straight breast bones, white legs, are fat and plump, and of fair size for birds hatched in January and February — the highest prices for such are to be obtained in London ; but even in country towns the value of early chickens is very fairly estimated, and a remunerative price freely given. The importa- tions of eggs and poultry from the Continent are enormous, and if it pays to breed poultry abroad, surely it might be made equally profit- able in our own country. Establishments have been lately organised to try the effect of rearing poultry on a large scale. Time will, I hope, enable these philanthropists to show a fair 240 SUMMER MANAGEMENT. balance-sheet, and to encourage others to follow their good example. If poultry is kept for profit alone, or where the superfluous stock is only sold to reduce ex- penses, I advise the breeder to confine his fancy to the more valuable varieties, as commanding a sure market, either for table use or exhibition. The expenses of rearing and feeding valuable fowls will be all but the same as that of com- paratively worthless ones. The same attendance will be required, and the only additional outlay will be on the extra comfort and -warmth neces- sary for early-hatched chickens. This, if pro- perly managed, will be very trifling. It is a great mistake to build chicken palaces, or to fancy that such can ever be constructed on such elastic principles as to aSbrd space for the rear- ing of poultry and supjDly of eggs, even for a moderate establishment, throughout the year. On however large a scale the attempt is made, chickens confined entirely to such would not thrive, and the result would only bring dis- appointment. Nowhere can poultry be reared better or at less outlay than at a farm-steading PRESERVIXG AND SALE OF EGGS. 241 — aye, and very fair pens for exhibition can be picked out from the farm-stock. When eggs for market is the object, I would recommend the best layers only to be kept, and all young pul- lets ; but there may also be a pure unmixed breed of Dorkings, Brahmas, Spanish, or any kind most fancied, kept as well for exhibition and sale, in matched pens. From five to ten pounds can be got for such, and this repeated several times makes a pretty entry on the credit side of the balance-sheet. Prtscrbing anir Sale x)f 6ggs. When eggs are plentiful, 6|d, or 7d. per dozen is their usual market-price in country places. Say this lasts during the months of May, June, and July ; during that time I would advise all those who look forward to the rearing of pheasants, turkeys, and young poultry of all kinds, to preserve every egg not required for household use or for setting. During the three following months eggs become much less plentiful, as the hens are in moult, and many going with 242 PRESERVING AND SALE OF EGGS. broods. These sell at highest market-prices, and continue to do so as long as possible ; but to the breeders of pure strains of poultry I would give this advice : never sell at market at all ; the price is not sufficiently remunerative, and it is far better to preserve even your most valuable eggs, or eat them, than to run the risk of their being set and hatched to supplant your birds perhaps at your own county exhibition of poultry. Sell, of course, at setting price, but no other. November, December, and January are bad egg months generally with the common run of fowls, and setting for spring chickens com- mences ; so, except any small or malformed eggs (all which should go into the preserving jars), there are not many to spare for market, and we are very glad to have an abundant supply of well-preserved, I may even say fresh^ eggs for kitchen use, reserving choice, new-laid eggs for the breakfast-table. I have, as a great favour, frequently supplied the table of royalty from my poultry-yard when all other sources failed in Scotland. With a system of poultry manage- ment there need never be a dearth ; and I was PRESERVIXG AXD SALE OF EGGS. 243 very pleased that I could supply eggs, capons, ri«. TRY AGRICULTURE ^ -..ARY