Democratic Sentinel, Volume 10, Number 27, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 August 1886 — THE HENS FOR FARMERS. [ARTICLE]

THE HENS FOR FARMERS.

H a farmer keeps hens chiefly for the purpose of supplying his own table with meat and eggs, he will do well to raise birds that belong to one of the large breeds. The choioe will lie between the Brahmas, the Cochins and the Plymouth Rocks. There are no objections against any of these breeds. The light Brahmas have been most favorably known for over thirty years, and for general merit they are not surpassed by any of the newer breeds. The light Brahma fowl meets every requirement of the farmer. It is a very handsome bird, and is an ornament to the premises. It is a contented, home-loving bird, not inclined to wander about and get into mischief. It is a large bird, and furnishes a tine roast. If its flesh is not quite as tender or delicious as that of some of the French fowls, it is at least very good. A Brahma fowl is easily dressed, and when plucked presents a fine appearance. The eggs of the Brahma are large and well formed. Though they bring no more in the market than small eggs, they are of much greater value, as their size and weight indicate, Brahma hens of suitable ago, if they have warm quarters, will lay during the entire winter. They are patient sitters and good mothers. They are not as greatly addicted to scratching and making havoc In the gardens as fowls belonging to the smaller and more active breeds. Being heavy, they never attempt to make long flights. They can, if it is desired, be kept in an ordinary farmyard without making any additions to the fence. They do not suffer when kept in partial oonfinenent. They will thrive, gain in weight, and produce eggs when kept in a yard or building, provided they are supplied with suitable food, water, and materials for forming the shells of eggs. If Brahma fowls are not the favorites of breeders, the cause may be found in the circumstance that they are no longer novelties. Breeders, like nurserymen, prefer to raise and sell new things. They can obtain higher prices for them, as they are desired by amateurs, while they have little competition. Light Brahma fowls are now well distributed throughout the country. Birds of pure strains or their eggs can be obtained at comparatively low in-ices. It is to the advantage of farmers who have nothing but mongrels on their places to obtain a supply of them. Many farmers think that tney cannot afford to keep animals of pure blood. They acknowledge their superior value, but they have not the money to purchase them. Very few farmers are so short of means that they can not raise money to pay for a sitting of eggs. It takes several years to raise a flock of improved sheep or a herd of pedigree cattle. But a nock of fowls of pure blood can be secured in one year at the expense of a few dollars, 'fhese fowls will be conducive to pleasure as well as profit It will cost no more to keep them than an equal number of common fowls, whose flesh and eggs are greatly inferior. The farmer in any town who makes the first start in keeping superior fowls can generally make money in selling birds or their eggs to the neighbors. If one farmer makes a new departure in keeping fowls his neighbors generally follow his example, ana in most cases they will purchase ’-breeding stock from him. Eggs of light Brahma hen* obtained very early hi fits mssSS will pshaw tokens that will lay eggs during the next winter. Few fanners who hare kept superior fowls a tew years are dissatisfied with th<- result or are willing afterward to <iw Mmiwnp barn-yard chickens.—