Rensselaer Republican, Volume 22, Number 45, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 July 1890 — IN THE POULTRY YARD. [ARTICLE]

IN THE POULTRY YARD.

HOW TO INPROVE COMMON FLOCKS. Classification is as indispensable in poultry as in other branches. First, we have the two classes, ornamental and useful. The first includes fowls kept more especially for the embellishment of one’s grounds, as the ornamental water fowls, pea fowls, the quaint Japanese bantams and in fact the whole list of bantams, exhibition games. &c.. &c. Under the class useful, and this is the one in which the average farmer is interested, are the three fairly well-defined varieties, table fowls, laying fowls and general purpose fowls. Now, farmers who make a side issue of poultry are often frightened out of any half formed plan they may have made to improve their flocks by the advocacy by poultry breeders and jourhals of fancy poultry, pure breeds and breeding by the standard. All this involves much more care and money than they can afford. Consequently they let the matter drop and the flocks are left to take care of themselves, which means a sure deterioration both among the flesh-forming and egg-producing birds. A profitable plan for those who are not handicapped with a flock of common poultry is systematic cross breeding, which, properly speaking, means the inter-breeding of two pure varieties. Farmers, however, who"possess a fairly good lot of common poultry may bring about excellent results by grading up the same, carefully culling out as fast as practicable old hens and dung-hill cocks. This done the next step is the crossing of the hens with cocks of some desirable breed. This will bring about in time most of the advantages of cross breeding. In a word, the result will be the same that is gained by introducing full-blood males among live stock. In making the seclection of a pure breed with which to cross the common stock, have an eye to the characteristics desired. For instance, if eggs are the chief object, select a breed famous for egg production. If the neighboring market requires large eggs, then one of the French or Spanish breeds will be in order. If the consumers are not critical as to size, the Hamburgs, which are persistent layers of small eggs, will do well, on the Leghorns, which have a high reputation as layers of medium-sized eggs. The Crevecours, which attain to large size and possess desirable table qualities, present a good cross, as do also the Houdans, where flesh is a consideration. The American breeds afford excellent general purpose fowls and are furthermore hardy and comparatively free from disease. .

THE PEKIN DUCK. me Fokin ducks, of which this country knew coin para Lively, littla Jif - teen years ago, are an important feature on many of the poultry farms in New Jersey and elsewhere, where the ducklings are raised by thousands every year. Indeed, the Pekin duck in some localities has decidedly lessened the production of chickens, the poultrymen claiming that there is more money in them than in broilers. The Pekin ducks are large and uniform in size, weighing at four months from ten to twelve pounds tor the pair. They are hardy, prolific and thrive without ponds, provided they have plenty to drink. —

PREPARE NOW FOR EGOS IN WINTER. A hen to be profitable, says one experienced poultryman, must lay at least 200 eggs in a year. It is generally conceded that a hen has seen her best laying days at two years of age; hence the wisdom of selling off these hens in the spring or early summer. ddse“ohservatldn will teach that many hens lay only every other day. These ought by all means to be disposed of, as they aro not profitable under ordinary circumstances. With eggs in view as the chief object the advice is given to dispose as early 'as possible of • the cockerels, old hens and surplus pullets. It need hardly be told that the enterprising poultry keeper selects the best pullets for his own flock and depends upon them for his winter layers. He brings them to maturity as early as possible with a view to their laying id the early fall. To insure eggs during the winter season, when they command best prices, these pullets are fed with egg producing food, and provided with warm but well ventilated quarters.

CLUCKS AND CACKLES. May hatched chicks are the best as individuals, and the entire hatch is one of greater excellence. Hens that cannot drink whenever they require it will not lay regularly, no naatter how well they are fed. The general purpose fowl is unques*, tionably the most popular. The American breeds are prized because they are general purpose fowls. The American standard of excellence recognizos only three breeds of American origin—the Plymouth Rocks, Wyandottes and old fashioned Dominiques. The oldest of the distinctive American breeds is the American Dominique. The Langsbaws are popular as fowls. Too much stimulating food causes over egg production. The result from such a course will he poor hatches, weak chicks and inferior stock.