an IHmiHHraK : «i ta-,_ „ -.^H LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. ^M. §*$$%$ %......... ShelfuQ.13 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. <^STANDARD^> COMMERCIAL POULTRY CULTURE, BY ^ARTIFICIAL PROCESS, I> OB, HOW TO MAKE Poultry Culture Profitable, DR. T. B. SPALDING. 185. ' Chicago, ^^HUS the principles of poultry culture must, of necessity, be studied like all other sciences, if we succeed. By such a process of direct and comparative study of each variety we breed, we become expert and deeply interested, and such " a qualification is absolutely essential to successful standard poultry culture. In this, as in everything else, brain must be in the business. " There is no excellence without great labor." No natural born poultrymen. He may be inclined in a given direction by special talents and taste, but there is absolutely no self-sufficiency of genius in anything. Education, hard, patient and persistent labor is the life and soul of all true excellence. Poultry culture is no exception we assure you, and all who embark in the business as a profession must first of all understand the necessity of this natural and educational qualification. Do not be ashamed of the business as a Poultryman, for success demands that all shall be proud of it. STANDABD AND COMMERCIAL POULTRY CULTUBE. 101 Thus impresed and prepared for their comfort, then buy the best fowls that can be found. If only two or three, breed these and con- tinue to buy the best and never let a few dollars deter you from mat- ing up the best living birds. The most perfect is none too good to breed, since the closest aproximation to perfection in the parent stock will, from necessity, under the laws of inheritance, that, like produces like, give very much better standard specimens than cheaper and far inferior fowls. It is a sad mistake to suppose that from poor or even pretty good stock, the higher and splendid standard speci- mens may possibly be produced. A stream can not rise higher than its fountain sources, and be assured, that the same natural laws hold dominion over the mightest and minutest details of hereditary descent as faithfully as they do in the domain of gravitation. But all can not buy these best specimens, since there are but com- parativly few, and these command the heaviest prices. How then shall they be secured? How can they be bred? "We answer, first, breed directly from the most perfect specimens as before suggested. This any one may do who has good judgement and a bank account to his credit, but to breed these best specimens from "disqualified birds," requires great skill and scientific experience andj yet, such is the source of every thorough bred bird. I mean, to trace him back to his ancestry, he is indebted to that scientific device for all the standard excellencies to which he has attained. The origin of this idea is altogether unknown to me; (we find in Mr. Wright's large work, ) but to Mr. I. K. Felch, of Massachusetts, must be accorded the credit of giving it form and features and filling it with practical life among American fanciers. Especially in fixing the color, this eminent poultryman has demonsrtated the greater prepotency to be in the male birds, and thus mating the deep colored males to the lighter females he attains to a standard mean in the progeny that is much superior to either parent. But I think that he will allow exceptions to this greater prepotency in the male, for, in fact, it often occurs that the female even in color, imparts to the progeny her greater influence in fixing the correct color, and so Mr. Felch affirms, we think, in his second best matings of Light Brahmas. But the preponderate influence we think, belongs with the male as we find the dark male to give deeper dye to all the offspring more uniformly. We do not know that that theory is 102 STANDARD AND COMMERCIAL POULTRY CULTURE. affirmed further than the mating of the Light Brahma ; but our own experience remarks it running among all varieties. A Buff Cochin male, bred to Partridge Cochin pullets will put the buff color on the chicks and breed out the striped feathers in three matings. A Plymouth Bock male bred to Brahmas will mark all chicks after himself. The male, in general, has that prepotency as to color. Again, the sex is largely males in early spring clutches, while the vigorous male is not reduced by over duty, while in feeble cocks, or much depressed by the season's service, the latter progeny are more largely pullets. We think, however, this question of imparting the greater degree of personal influence in fixing the color and other characteristics peculiar to either parent depends, in largest part, on the vital vigor of the one or the other. It, therefore, may be in favor of either, but, on account of this fact, the rule favors the male bird, he being as a rule, more vigorous. In mating for correct leg or foot feathering we have made long and careful observation and found it unsafe to breed a male Cochin with stiff, heavy hocks even to very sparely feathered hens ; but some of the finest hocks we ever saw were secured from vultured pullets and light-feathered, vigorous cocks. But the experiment must not be repeated with these improved progeny, but made permanent by observing the law of the first and best mating which calls for spe- cial best selection. This special selection embraces both the best mating, that is, the most perfect, and, also, the second principle, which must seek such specimens as shall secure the best mean or compromise between the imperfect pair. To illustrate. If we mate a Bnff Cochin pair, full, in breast, and body, broad in back, high full cushion, full roand soft hocks and heavy foot feathering, even rich deep under and outer color, small even combs pure buff wings and standard tails we should expect elegant offspring from such a source, for such birds are very high in standard excellence, such would be the best possible mating. Again, if we select just such a male but very heavily hocked, with stiff quils protruding down and backward from the hock joint you dare not mate him at all, even though the female be barren of mid- dle toe feathering and light in hock; but, if the female be immensly STANDARD AND COMMERCIAL POULTRY CULTURE 103 feathered, even approaching the vulture, and the cock be vigorous and sparcely feathered, the progeny will many of them be finely feathered. Thus, the principle all through proves the prevailing greater power of the male bird to impart his special features and, I will add, also his form upon the flock. The size of the chick, we think, may be most easily secured from the hen, since it is almost impossible to breed a very large male bird successfully, and entirely so, to small hens. The one idea we would impress is, if we try to get a standard balance or midway point of merit, or, if you please, an average mean between two birds that are out in different directions in the same section, or part, then expect the male bird to have the greater modifying influence since he imparts the vital principle that moulds all the matter of the mother egg largely in his own image. Thus we rest from further pursuit of the principles of mating, claiming nothing original but the reason why the male bird hath the greater prepotency of power to impart to the progeny his own pecu- liarities of color, form and feature. The fact is founded in this ; that the male bird is the more vigor- ous, and that he imparts the vital principle and governing force. These two matings, we think, are all-sufficient for all professional poultrymen who cull their chicks carefully and closely, and the principle will be found to apply universally and to all varieties. With the interminable train of petty details we have nothing to do, since the principle will explain what is wise to accept or reject in any and all instances of mating. Another all-important principle suggests itself at this point and one which my distinguished and learned friend, the late Dr. Stone- breaker, of Waco, Texas, insisted upon with his usual earnest accur- acy and great ability. Reference is made to the full maturity of all breeding birds. In a series of excellent articles in several poultry periodicals just before his death he detailed the experimental facts in support of his theory and did much to dissipate the almost universal practice of breeding from pullets and cockerels, instead of yearling and two year old stock. An impartial consideration of this question warrants the conclusion that no standard bird should be bred under eight months old. Doubtless, if allowed, the precocious thoroughbred will begin to crow and cackle to mate and multiply and reproduce their 104 STANDARD AND COMMERCIAL POULTRY CULTURE. species at a much earlier age, in fact, a friend of mine set a Buff Cochin pullet, hatched in January, upon her own eggs and she hatched a fine brood the 23rd of August of the same year. Leghorns and Plymouth Rocks lay even earlier, but these precocious pullets and cockerels should be kept separate and not allowed to ovulate, by often shifting them into new quarters and so allowing them to continue their full growth and development on to maturity. The whole argument in susport of Dr. Stonebreaker's theory is deduced from the physiological fact that nature's operation can not be contravened and yet contiue perfectly on to the end and give the best possible issue. If nature requires at least one year to fully develope a bird its vital resources should not be diverted, or drawn upon during thut process. We think the axiom self-evident, that nature cannot hold on and let go at the same time, and, if her resources are directed to the developement of a- bird and meanwhile, those resources be arrested by a counter call diverting the vital influence in the work of generat- ing the species of the parent bird, the breeding bird must suffer from arrested developmement, and stunned in every sense, and the progeny from such source must, from necessity, be imperfect and deficient in vigor. Therefore, in breeding standard specimens, the purpose being to attain as nearly as possible to perfection in every sense, the full maturity of either one bird or both, is certainly advisable. It will readily occur to all as difficult to determine, without positive and careful experiments, the relative result in breeding from mature and immature yards ; but the intelligent and patient observations of Dr. S , enabled him to say as a fact of his experience, that chicks bred from pullets and cockerels were vastly less vigorous than were the chicks from specimens over one and under three years old. We have thought the subject worthy of introduction and believe all will be benefitted and appreciate the scientific and practical sugges- tions inseparably associated with this subject. It is only right and proper for us to go upon record and we cheerfully re-affirm and de- fend the faith of our lamented friend. Cockerels and pullets 8 or 10 months old crossed with cocks and hens are probably old enough, The early hatched chicks, say of January, February, March and April, but not later than May, are suitable to associate with hens of STANDAED AND COMMEECTAL POULTBY CULTURE. 105 the previous year, or even three year old hens, when they themselves are one year old. We believe the two year old cock the best age for breeding males for standard specimens. Inbreeding demands some certain and reliable assertion either against the practice or in its support according as science and exper- ience have established the truth. What are the facts ? Inbreeding is a necessity if it be true, as some assert, that the first sexual con- gress and conception impresses indelibly the features or influence of the male upon the female forever ; for surely those hidden influences would harrass all our operations and, being completely covert, would everywhere confront and confound all accuracy of calculation. Every effort at introducing new blood would prove utterly impo- tent against the previous impression, or, if the virgin specimen be thus first impressed by this outside or alien element, then we should start off at a tangent under the auspices of a new influence never to be able to return. It is, therefore, well thus to make the issue and remark the utter antagonism of inbreeding and introducing new blood, if it be true that contamination of blood in a bird, can come from copulation. Inbreeding, in that event, must be our only security, since no mortal ken could know the lnrking love that is stamped upon the plastic soul and insured to all the future offspring its own unending image. But are we f orceed to inbreeding from such a fallacy ? And is this asserted contamination a fallacy or a fact. We answer in the name of science it is not only false, but it is not even respectable nonsense. What is the scientific fact ? All animal existence are propagated through ovulation and sexual vitatization. In the case of all mam- mals the egg is evolved from the female ovary, just the same as in the fowl and further, it is vitalized by copulation just the same in all instances ; but in the animal the egg thus vitalized finds its lodgment in the maternal womb and there, though the vital circulation is indi- rect, though the growth and development of the foetus are affected under the auspices of osmosis or the passage back and forth, that is, to and from the f cetus through intervening membranes, still the ma- ternal brain and blood presides over all and propells all the pro- cesses of intra-uterine life. Though the child or animal in the womb does give back to the mother's blood the waste material of its own body, yet this debrse is dead and is cast out and can not, in the 106 STANDABD AND COMMEKCIAL POULTKY CtTLTUEE. nature of things, contaminate the mother. In order to possibly pro- duce such impression it must be living fluid and so enter her circu- lation and contribute to cell-construction, or the atomic rebuilding of her body. Then, and then only, could the father ingraft himself upon the mother through the little life within the womb. The fact i. that, the father cannot thus contaminate the mother with the most malignant disease. The off-spring will suffer, but the mother escape. Why ? Because what the mother imparts to the child is imbued with life, but what it gives back is dead matter and incapa- ble of harm to her. The father, then, cannot contaminate the mammal mother through the medium of intra-uterine life. What, then, may be expected oi the fowl ? Like the animal, the egg is evolved from the ovary, it enters the ovaduct and somewhere in its passage to the outer world it is met and vitalized by the electric life principle of the male. It continues on, receives its casement or shell and comes forth con- taining the essential germ which, subjected to the same conditions that the animal egg receives in the womb, which is heat and moisture, it germinates and grows into vigorous life. But the fowl's egg never germinates within the fowl and so never gives back anything what- ever to the mother, but receives the male influence, seals it in a shell and, egg and influence and all are expelled together. Thus the egg receives the vital influence of the male, but never touches nor tarnishes the circulation, nor the physical system of the hen and so contami- nation of the blood by copulatiou is a physiological absurdity. It is contrary to life's processes. The influence of the male will reach only those egg that are evolved in and thrown off from the ovary and are in the ovaduct all ripe and ready for the reception .of the vital influence ; but beyond these the male influence is actually impotent and inoperative by way of copulation, or sexual contact. Such is the dictum of physiological science on the subject and from which we see that the only possible source left for those per- manent impressions to forever influence the breeding of an animal or hen must be through mental media, which we are willing to con- cede under exceptional circumstances, of strong attachment and highly developed and sensitive mental organization, but we can scarcely credit theexistance of this deathless devotion, this perman- ent impression, this heavenly endowment in a hen. And so we are not forced to practice inbreeding from fear of contaminating any STANDARD AND COMMEKCIAL POULTBV CULTURE. 107 particular species upon which we admit a cross. The success of the cross, of coarse, is another thing. What are the evils of inbreeding ? Does it depress the vital forces ? To some extent we think it does. But we think the danger in this direction is unduly magnified. When inbreeding is practiced and pushed to produce the pure blooded racehorse with his perfect symmetry and iron constitution and staying qualities. When we practice inbreeding between the parents and progeny of cattle for purpose of perpetuating especial merits of milk and butter and beef, all of which depends upon strong constitutional capacity, we doubt that the dangers of judicious inbreeding for three or four gen- erations are worse or half so fatal as the folly of annually introduc- ing new blood. When we see a vain of fowls breed for 25 years from one line of males and refreshed from without only at long intervals and, then through the females, and thus continue to enjoy the highest reputa- tion and merit for elegance in everything, we are convinced that in- breeding is the only safety from going to pieces and destroying any strain, especially in color and excellent qualities. Of course, continual inbreeding dwarfs and degenerates and, therefore, Is wrong, but when the purpose is to reproduce identity of type in everything as in pure bred stock, the only possible pro- cess by which it can be done is to breed in and in judiciously, intro- ducing new females every three or four years of the finest possible merit, and as much as possible, like the strain in cultivation. Select the new blood only, from the finest standard specimens, of the best strains in existence, and then for years again go forward inbreeding from the best standard specimens of what we have, that is nearest the desired type to which we aim to attain, and so is brought about the different forms and features of the same variety of fowls and so is secured the best possible result that come from any system of standard or pure bred poultry cclture. But do not.write for " fowls that are no akin." You will certainly hazard a chance of securing a start in the strain you desire. No one can tell the result of a cross, and a cross is what is ordered when your injunction to the breeder is that, "the birds shall be no akin." We think it only necessary to thus suggest the point, and offer the prin- ciple, to make the truth apparent that, so many changes as must come from the annual introduction of new blood could not but ruin 108 STANDAED AND COMMERCIAL POULTBY CULTUBE. the best result. Nature without a miracle must refuse to blend such constant, strange and incongruous elements as are bidden in each new and, to some extent, improper pair, into one ideal and symme- trical whole. Remember, therefore, that while perpetual inbreeding is not to be practiced, nor, is it here advised, still the greater danger comes from so-called new blood ; and, that all thorough or pure bred stock result from inbreeding. Again, a pedigree for standard fowls is an imperative necessity, because it brings our operations into systematic accuracy and ena- bles us to know the actual breeding value of every male bird espec- ially. Otherwise everything is guess work and must go wrong. The females of every pedigreed pen should be carrefully studied as they begin to lay and soon the intelligent observer may readily recognize the egg of each particular hen. The eggs should be stamped at the nest and when about to hatch a separate drawer assigned them in the Incubator and the chicks spec- ially marked aud recorded as hatched. If extra care be urged against the pedigree system, the counter fact is clear that, better prices will be paid for what you can recommend and sell with satisfaction to yourself and to your patrons. In either, market or pure bred poultry culture, honesty is always the best policy. We know of one instance where a pen of poor birds were sold and shipped west where expectation was high and the whole population had assembled to see the fine fowls, but when they came they were poor specimens and the disappointment and disgust were universal and did the breeder infinite injury. So our transat- lantic breeders have filled several orders for Buff Cochins that would be disqualified at any first class show in America, and so American breeders are afraid to further hazard the enormous cost and bad importation. We would pay the price with pleasure if we could de- pend upon securing their finest specimens and this feeling is univer- sal and is here suggested as the source of greatest injury to the com- merce in fine fowls. There cannot possibly arise anything so ruinous to trade as loss of confidence, and, the trade in fine fowls rests exclusively on confidence and when its sacredness is outraged by receiving a bad specimen, both confidence and further commerce are killed. Thus all intelli- gent poultrymen should see that violating the confidence of a patron re-acts upon and ruins his own reputation and business. STANDABD AND COMMERCIAL POULTRY CULTURE. 109 The commerce in market fowls and chicks is differently conducted as the stock is inspected before paid for, in most cases, and consign- ments are continually made to one firm and must be found satisfac- tory. From all the foregoing what shall we conclude ? Does poultry culture pay ? If rightly conducted it does beyond the universal be- lief. And which department yields the greater profit ? Which ever you prefer ; both yield the largest returns for care and capital invested of any other known industry and the encouraging feature is the demand is constantly increasing. The food supply cannot be surfeited. If a few fowls pay well, enlarged numbers pay equally well, if rightly managed. Like every productive industry this must pay near populous sec- tions and cities where markets absorb such food supplies. There, astonishing prices are paid for tender broilers from December until May and June. Often 50 or 70 cents per pound for chicks that weigh from two to three pounds, fat and fine. These can be furnished by the Incubator and brooder system at any time and in any quan- tity when once prepared. Preparation and expense must be incurred in every occupation ; in this we are not utterly dependent ob the action of the elements as in agriculture. Whether it rains, or not the poultryman is equally indifferent. His operations go on under cover controlled by agencies of which he is master ; and man must eat and so his supplies must sell. Unlike the professions, or merch- andise, or agriculture, or all the vast and varied avocations with which the human family have become more familiar. Poultry culture is not so subject to contingencies. It isn't overdone. There is a demand for it and the demand is almost infinite. The new South and California, because of the mildness of their climate, are especially suited for this commerce. Disease has been the dread, but on this we trust these pages will prove that once free from ver- min and epidemic ills, and with the facilities afforded by modern invention, poultry culture cannot fail to engage the business brain, the active energies, and even the enthusiasm of the American produ- cer. A gentleman recently assured me he realized a net profit of $7.00 each from 300 hens. Another instance, he raised 3,000 ducks by the Incubator process, which weigh 3% pounds at ten weeks old and for 110 STANDARD AND COMMERCIAL POULTRY JOURNAL. which he realizes forty cents, live weight. Regulated as prescribed in this publication, mated and managed as herein advised an early Asiatic pullet affording from 70 to 90 eggs in six months must average from 20 to 25 chicks and these selling at from 40 to 70 cents per pound and costing 5 cents per pound must afford a net yield of over $10 per hen. A poultry farm of 8 to ten acres, with 500 or 1,000 hens, carefully managed near some populous city cannot yield less than $5,000 oi $8,000, net annual profit. STANDARD AND COMMEBCIAL POULTBY CULTURE. Ill CHAPTER XIV. THE DIFFICULTIES THAT THIS INDUSTRY HAS TO OVERCOME. THE GREAT- EST OF ALL IS PREJUDICE. THE REASON. THE AUTHOR AND FARMER. COMPARING NOTES. RELATIVE PROFITS FROM POULTRY AND AGRI- CULTURE WITH EQUAL CAPITAL. THE RESULT ATTAINED BY POULTRY MEN IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE UNITED STATES. THE IMPORTANCE OF DUCK CULTURE. THE PRACTICAL MISSION OF THE INCUBATOR ON THE FARM AND FOR DOMESTIC USE. THE PRACTICAL WORK OF HATCH- ING AND HANDLING YOUNG CHICKS OF ALL KINDS, AND FOR ALL PUR- POSES. THE UNDERLIEING PRINCIPLES THE SAME. WHERE TO PLACE AN INCUBATOB AND WHY. THE VALUE OF VENTrLATION. THE PEOPEB DEGREE OF TEMPERATURE FOR A HATCHING HOUSE. THE EARLY REMOVAL OF THE CHICKS FROM THE INCUBATOB, AND WHY? PURPOSE OF THE GREAT NURSERY. HOW HEATED. HOW VENTI- LATION SHOULD BE EFFECTED AND BEGULATED. ESSENTIALS FOR 'THE CHICKS. HOW MUCH SPACE ALLOTTED TO EACH. THE PHI- LOSOPHY OF SAND, AS A RETAINER OF HEAT AND AS AN ABSORBMENT. HOW OFTEN CHICKS SHOULD BE FED AND WATEBED. HOW THE FEED SHOULD BE GIVEN. POULTBY CULTUBE ESPECIALLY ADAPTED TO THE PACIFIC COAST AND TO THE GEIflAL CLIMATE OF THE SOUTH. THE difficulty that poultry culture is compelled to overcome before she is admitted into full fellowship with other and older industries is prejudice. It is difflcnlt to divest a man of prejudice by argument or by facts and figures ; he must know the thing and must of necessity, delay all action until others realize the merited results of more faith in figures, more energy and self reliance. Poultry raising must be boldly admitted to the same opportunities that are extended to agriculture and the rearing of all other stock. No sane man can hope to succeed in a business for which he is unprepared and of which he is ashamed. And, need we wonder at the amazement and incredulity of the 112 STANDARD AND COMMERCIAL POULTRY CULTURE. masses, who are just awakening to the serious consideration of the high claims of this industry ? Poultry Culture is a new industry. It was degraded for ages by inattention and neglect, because it was then impossible to make it profitable. Then it had no literature, no light, no scientific assistance, and what could agriculture and the arts do to-day without the assistance of science and invention that have also revolutionized all aspects of labor. These have actually blown the inspiring breath of modern scientific progress upon the dead body of ancient poultry culture and it stands up among the liv- ing, lively industries and commands respect. But it is not the poultry culture of the past, that must be investigated and controlled, if at all, on scientific principles that cannot be ignored. Persons that have killed and dressed chickens almost ever since they escaped from the cradle, have seen the sand in the chickens gizzard and yet never thought of putting sand in their food ; and yet we assure you it will often assist digestion and check a diarrhoea when all other agents fail. Of course objections are easier than investigation ; and if persons are sealed against argument, if facts and figures can make no im- pression, then poultry culture, nor culture of any kind will likely hold out to such, an helping hand ; but to such as are willing to weigh the issues and be honest with poultry culture and fix, for its demands as for farming, give it confidence and capital, due dilligence, time and talent ; conducting it as an enterprise that demands intelligent study, then poultry culture will surpass farming. A few years since with $500 invested in fancy fowls I sold $800 worth, cleared $500, and had left over for stock twice as many fowls. A rich farmer, near me, with $20,000 invested, made less clear money after charging up everything against us both, than I did ; he with &20 000 and I with $500 invested. Suppose I had half his money to devote to poultry culture to best advantage. I know a gentleman who quit a $5,000 law practice, bought 160 acres of land, built and stocked it, all from 45 Light Brahma hens in less than 10 years. A gentleman in Indiana worked for 50 cents per day, bought a pair of fowls, began poultry culture and within a few years bought and stocked a fine firm and now carries on a poultry commerce worth 8 or $10,000 per year. Another gentleman in the east began about the same way and now sells $8,000 worth of fine fowls annually. STANDABD AND COMMEECIAL POULTEY CULTUEE. 113 Another cultivates exclusively by the Incubator and has cleared over $7 on each hen per annum and employed over 300 hens. Again, I am in position to prove that the artificial cultivation of ducks for market will, and do yield over $1 net profit on each young duck, and that any good duck will lay over 80 eggs in the course of five months. Duck eggs hatch remarkably well and they seldom ever die a nat- ural death. Thev will eat everything and require no water except such as chickens drink from a fountain. Ducks are great foragers on grass, and better still, on green young clover. They grow faster and develope infinitely better by restraining them from the pond, just as chickens and pigs and all stock do better and fatten faster when restrained from rambling in the fields. We think it safe to calculate on 80 per cent, of duck eggs hatching in a first class Incubator and it is more than safe to count on the sur- vival of fully 75 per cent, of all that are hatched and so if I claim that a good large pair of Pekin Ducks can be made to yield a net profit of $30 in six months, I intend no outrage upon pnblic credul- ity but am certain it can be done. I am certain I am too low in my estimate, but, am careful to be safe. These stalwart young creatures weigh 3% to 4 pounds within 80 days from leaving the shell, and are certainly the finest of all food. They readily sell in cities at from 30 to 40 cents per pound early in the season. They are usually sold live weight after being bled. The meat is most delicious and once intro- duced is in great demand. I need scarcely magnify the mission of the Incubator further ; but, hope what we have said may be of service to all who embark in breeding fowls or chicks for any purpose. The underlieing princi- ciples apply equally to poultry culture, either for the fancy or for food. Thus'f ar we have had in view the hatching of chicks for com merce, may we suggest from experience that the hatching of a thou- sand chicks for home consumption, is anything but labor lost. If the restaurants can pay from 50 cents to $1.50 for a niceyoung broiler of from one to two pounds weight, a half a dozen of such savory food every day for domestic use will go far towards making the farmer a friend to the Incubator, and Gentlemen, may I suggest to you, as a physician, that you eat to much pork and not enough fresh tender food like these very young broiled birds. If these enormous prices can be paid in cities, certainly the farmer can afford to own and 114 STANDARD AND COMMERCIAL POULTBY CUIiTUBE. operate his Incubator and live sumptuously on these luxuries that cost him only the healthful fun of hatching them and feeding for six or eight weeks. I have tried and can consciously recommend it. We expect within ten years to find the Incubator as freely used on the farm and wherever there is a flock of fowls, as the sewing machine and other inventions that lighten labor and conduce to the health and happiness of life and the luxury of cheaper, better living. We come now to the practical work of hatching and handling young chickens of any and all kind and for any and all purposes, since the process is identical in every particular and demands the same feed and care whether the chicks are intended for market or exhibition. An Incubator should be placed in a large light and comfortable place, well ventilated and entirely free from wind and water. Why ? Be- cause light is essential that the operator may see in turning his eggs, trimming the lamps and attending to details. Ventilation is absolutely necessary, because the lamps are burn- ing and the eggs also giving off poisonous erases, that soon load the air and affect the health of the incubating chicks in the eggs. Hence a cellar unless it possess these important requisites, is unsuit- ed. The temperature should never be below 65 degrees in a hatching house, because, when the valve opens and the outside air enters among the eggs, the chill is injurious ; and, when the eggs are taken out and aired for five or ten minutes, each day, after the first ten days, the air of course, should not be too severely cold. The proper, temperature, therefore, for a hatching house is between 65 and 75 degrees. The process of incubation, so far as what goes on in the eggs, has been fully considered. The directions for operating the machine must always accompany the sale ; for, since no two machines are alike, any attempt to cover the action of all in a book would be burdensome. But the chicks hatched by all require the same atten- tion, and should be removed from the Incubator as soon as dry, to avoid the poisonous gas that is generated during and after the hatch- ing while the chick is drying. Very young chicks, thus long confined, are subject to very unhealthy air to say the least, and must be bene- fited by early removal to a place of equal comfort and pure, warm air. We insist on this point because, whereas, it was one of our es- sentials to successful incubation and the philosophy fully set forth in that connection, it is scarcely necessary to suggest the importance STANDARD AND COMMERCIAL POULTRY CULTURE. 115 of applying the principle still, when the little chicks are further along in life. The shells removed and burned and the chicks removed and care- fully and comfortably quartered in the brooder at a temperature of about 100 ; for twenty or thirty hours, give no feed as the absorbing yolk within the chick is all sufficient during that time. The building or nursery being divided into pens or appartments of ten feet square. may be heated by a bottom heat brooder or by circulating hot water through underground pipes or by both combined. The Success and Perfect Hatcher companies do all such work cheap and reliably. Stoves are constructed for heating such houses with hot air or water, the water being better because it holds the heat longer. These stoves are self -feeding, of different sizes and power, and range in price from $50 to $300. Ventilation should come trom the top of the building, because there the heated air and gas meet and modify, the fresh, heavier and colder air. The Electric Ventilator constructed on precisely the same principle that controls the heat in a?i Incubator would be the most reliable register of the requisite temperature. The Incubator manufacturing companies will be glad to give estimates for such work. The main purpose of the great nursery should be to furnished the chicks perfect cleanliness, comfort, pure air and water, and sufficient to eat. When the weather is dry and not too cold, the chicks delight to go out through an opening into the enclosed adjoining yard. They do so in quite cold weather for a short time when they attain to four or five weeks old. It invigorates their energies and appetite and should be encouraged fully to the extent of their inclination. Experience alone and intelligent observation will adjust in harmony the practical operations of this industry, The purpose aimed at in these pages is to indicate the general principles, the essentials, that are applicable everywhere and leave to each latitude and locality and to each person the carrying out of the lesser practical details accord- ing to the intended extent of his operations and his pleasure and purse. It is plain to see that it would be impossible to prescribe details for any duty unless limited in extent and in everything to one par- ticular plan. The essentials for incubation, we feel, are fully under- stood. We feel too, that thus understood, the mind takes hold of the 116 STANDARD AND COMMERCIAL POULTRY CULTURE. whole question in a broader, better and more tangible shape ; and so we shall now proceed to consider briefly the essentials of the chick- ens : First : Then, how much space should be allotted to these little chicks ? We ourselves have succeeded admirably with one foot to each chick until four weeks old. A house, therefore, 24x100 feet v/ith a four feet passage through center, the sides subdivided into ten pens on each side 10 feet square, will amply accommodate 2,000 chicks until they are four weeks old. These pens should be supplemented by runs, into which they open when warm enough to let them out, even for an airing. When the whole nursery is quite warm these young chicks take great delight in sallying out, soon to return to the warm floor of the nursery. The floor should always be covered deep with sand ; because it maintains high heat when once thoroughly warmed and so can be relied upon during the cold changes of night and again, sand is the most perfect absorbent and so keeps the chicks quarters clean automatically ; that is the chicks themselves keep their quarters clean by scratching the offal deep into the absorbing sand. Of course, in due time, the sand must be sifted and supplied by more that is fresh ; but, this process materially lessons the labor and conduces to the evenness of the temperature and, therefore, to the health and success in careing for the chicks. With these bottom heat brooders, where the chicks can retreat from too high or too low a temperature, where the feet and body are kept comfortable, where ventilation is rightly regulated, where chicks will not need nor want to crowd, and where everything is systematically attended to the chicks will not die if rightly fed. Thus for about four or six weeks, the chicks should be kept at a temperature, at first of 100,° and then after several days, declining gently down to 98, 90 and 70°. The time at which chicks should be allowed such temperature depends especially upon their condition. If they fledge out fast and pass rapidly over the first pin feather critical period, and the first feathers come promptly out to their protection, then they may be moved at any time when thus conditioned, to larger but similiar and somewhat cooler quarters ; but, the change of temperature must be guaged or gradual, and never allowed below 70 to 80° in the house. If the chicks incline to cooler air, allow them the liberty and choice, either of house or runs when the weather is dry. So much for temperature and how to preserve it and the right degree. STANDARD AND COMMERCIAL POULTRY CULTURE. 117 If the enterprise aims at larger outlay, or more contracted opera- tions, the apparatus for heating and circulating the water may be ac- cordingly increased or diminished, and the same adjustment of all the essentials, including grounds, breeding birds, buildings, Incuba- tors, brooders and all. Chicks should be fed and watered every three hours during the day- time, the last feed being as late as 8 or 9 o'clock at night. The food should be grouned or crushed and cooked or softened, but, not too wet. The feed should be given warm, but care should be taken, that it be not too hot, as food thus fine and scalded, long retains the heat. For this and other reasons, given in these forward pages, we urge that the cold, dry feed of corn, usually ordered at night, be set aside; and the warm, steamed feed at night be substituted ; because it con- veys free heat into the system at once ; and, because it digests more easily and rapidly and, therefore, the same quantity of food genera- ates more animal heat, and taxes the digestive strength less in the operation. We deem these reasons sufficiently self-evident to need no further argument. What shall be fed, we have already fully set forth in our articles on food in the earlier chapters of this publica- tion, to which the reader is respectfully referred. It will be observed that in all this enterprise the question of tern, perature plays the largest part. For this reason our plans have been presented from the stand- point of the cold North, where nature is ice-bound and bleak during that portion of the year when the highest prices prevail for these tender and tempting broilers. But the suggestion is pertinent that this encouraging industry is especially adapted to the genial climate of the Pacific coast and the southern portion of the United States. If home prices in the South are less than in New England and the populous cities of the North, ice and refrigerating cars will overcome time of transit and the distance of travel and so the author com- mends to all, but especially to the citizens of the South, Commercial Poultry Culture. 118 STANDABD AND COMMEKCIAL POULTBY CULTUBE. CHAPTER XV. THE COST OF BAISING BEOrLEES. EVEETTHTNG WEIGHED AND WOBKED OUT FEOM POSITIVE EXPEBIENCE, AND CAEEEUL FACTS AND EIGTJBES. THE CONCLUSION BEACHED AGAIN BY THE AUTHOB, THAT THE POSSI- BILITIES ABE $10 FOB EACH HEN EMPLOYED IN COMMEBCIAL POUL- TBY CULTUEE UNDEB THE BEST POSSIBLE CIBCUMSTANCES. (E have on several occasions kept the best record we could of the cost of various flocks of chicks from hatching up to three months old and found the average did not vary- but the smallest fraction from five cents per pound for feed. We have instituted careful inquiry and find the experience of others very similar to our own. A friend furnishes us the most elaborate experimentation published in the January number of the Poultry Keeper, 1885 and which is so nearly coincident with my own calculations that with perfect confidence in its accuracy we quote it in full : " But few persons have familiarized themselves with the weight of chicks at different ages and in order that we may derive some accur- ate idea of weights from the shell to more advanced age we submit the following which we think will be of special practical interest. STANDARD AND COMMERCIAL POULTRY CULTURE. 119 The subjoined experiments being made to get at the exact truth. The result is as follows and may be readily verified : The egg weighs, when fresh 2 ounces. The weight of new hatched chicks 1% ounces, " " " chick 1 week old 2 2 ' « 4 3 " " G% 4 ' " 10 6 ' " 14 6 ' " 183^ 7 ' " 23^ 8 ' " 28 9 ' " 32- 10 ' " 36 11 ' " 41 "The chicks experimented with were Plymouth Rocks mixed with other breeds. The result will show heavier weight if the high grade cock be used with the full blooded Cochin or Brahma hen." " They were fed mostly on a mixture of bran, oat meal and corn meal moistened with milk or water and baked, sometimes nearly cooked with boiling water. Whole wheat and skimmed milk cheese served as a variety during the first 4 weeks ; and the cake was some- times made richer by the addition of a little animal meal (pulverized bone and meat.) Out of quite a flock not one chick died from disease. They were fed very regularly, three times a day ; and all they would eat up clean. A flock of which increased two pounds in weight a day, consumed less than six pounds of corn meal ; or its equivalent in other food, in 24 hours, and what vegetable or animal matter they could pick i?p, which in spite of our limited range did not appear to be very much, at least they always appeared hungry when they came for their meal." The error in this experiment was in giving the chicks unlimited range since they derived from the constant exercise only an appetite for food which, instead of going to make fat and weight was wasted in their rambles for food. The better plan is restricted pasture and feeding every three or four hours. From the above, however, we see that the actual expense of making one pound of " spring chicken " was in this case not over 4 cents. The market price in cities during July varied between twenty and 120 STANDARD AND COMMERCIAL POULTRY CULTURE. twenty-eighr cents. " We might have forced these chicks faster by giving them greater variety of diet but did not attempt to force them. Or we might have grown them slower and with less expense, but with longer time had we let them shift for themselves. There were no grass hoppers. Let us analyze the weights and notice the ratio of gain. The first week the chick did not quite double in weight : but the second week it doubled exactly. The third week, though not doubling in weight, the gain was greater than during the second week and for some cause the ratio was not equal to that before or after the third week, the gain being only 2 V4 ounces, while during the fourth week the increase was 3% ounces. The fifth week the gain is still greater and the ratio is given below : Chicks newly hatched 1% ounces. " gained first week % " u << 2 " 2 " " « 3 .< 2 }.{ " " 4 " 3> 2 ' " « « 5 « 4 « « (I g u ^ <• " 7 " 5 " 8 " 4% " 9 " 5 " " 10 " 4 " 11 " 5 The greatest gain considering the age was made when the chick had attained the age of seven weeks, the chick then weighing 23% ounces or very close to 1% pounds. When nine weeks old the weight was exactly two pounds — 32 ounces. Although the weights here given refer to that of a single chick, the experiment was made with a small brood and an average arrived at. The term " chick" being here used simply for convenience and we call particular attention to the fact that the expense of making each pound was 4 cents, but it may be repeated that they were not forced and could have been made to weigh a little more, or by attempting to make three cents grow a pound of " chicken " the growth would have been less. The quality of food is the secret of growth and we have always STANDARD AND COMMERCIAL POULTBY CULTUBE. 121 claimed and demonstrated that from the time the chick is hatched until it is grown, the cost per pound is 5 cents as a maxium limit, but if the five cents be not judiciously expended it will not produce half a pound. The paramount consideration, therefore, in commercial poultry culture is the vigor and size of the breeding stock, the quality of food for the fowls and chicks and the judicious manner of feeding. The profit depends upon the season of the year when the chicks are hatched ; about the 15th of January is the beginning of the broiler season which ends about the first of June." This accords with our own experience and so necessitates our be- ginning the process of incubation about the first of October or No- vember. The prices are highest during March and April, and chicks that weigh half a pound retail at from 75 cents to $1.00. Then the chicks that weigh three-quarters of a pound are preferred, which are fol- lowed by those weighing one pound. The following will be found the safest rule for estimating the prices of young chicks at these periods. The sum of 75 cents is the price to be expected for a chick from a half a pound weight until it is six months of age. This uniform price runs in this manner : A half pound chicks sells at $1.50 per pound, or 75 cents per chick. A three-quarter pound chicks sells at $1.00 per pound or 75 cents per chick. A pound chick sells for 75 cents. A one and a half pound chicks sells at 50 cents per pound or 75 cents per chick, and so in- creases in weight and decreases in price until the chick weighs 6 pounds and sells ot 12>£ cents a pound or 75 cents per chick. Of course the prices sometimes vary, but we can safely assert that if one half pound broilers reach the market in March and the chicks brought in continually until the season for " spring chicken " is over there will be no difficulty about prices. The figures given are retail prices for one dozen chicks. Observe that in the experiments given the chicks weighed 10 ounces when 4 weeks old. The cost up to that age is just two eents ; we throw off the two ounces for a margin and leave the weight 8 ounces at one month old. Now let us suppose that, instead of selling the chick at 75 cents, we leave a great margin in price and call it 25 cents. We will then have 23 cents clear profit from an expense of 2 cents for food. 122 STANDARD AND COMMERCIAL POULTRY CULTURE. In the experiments, however, the chicks gained a quarter of a pound the next week and while weighing 10 ounces, at 4 weeks old, reached 14 ounces when rive weeks of age, having gained a quarter of a pound the fifth week and as the ratio was more than a quarter of a pound each week thereafter, often reaching five ounces, we may safely claim that up to the age of three months a chick mill gain at least a quarter of a pound per week, as follows : Chicks 4 weeks old % pound 5 ' ' " X 6 " 1 7 1 " 1% 8 " i}4 9 : » 1% 10 « 2 11 i u 2H 12 t .( oi, 13 « 2 % 14 " 3 In the experiment the chicks weighed two pounds at eight weeks old, but we have allowed two extra weeks for a safe average for an entire brood, as some of the chicks may be sickly or inferior, but we could have easily put down that a chick will weigh three pounds when three months old or even more for we have often had them to weigh four pounds at that age. Another experiment which we have made previous to the one cop- ied above demonstrated that chicks double in weight every 10 days until they are 40 days old, but such rule is not inf alliable, as we find the gain greater at some periods than at others, but the cost of food for the second experiment was one cent a week until the chick was 10 weeks old, when the expense increased and so did the weights. It is admitted however that the chicks were not as well fed and provid- ed for as they should have been. The cost was of course less than one cent until the fifth week, which was exactly one cent and when the tenth week was reached the total amount expended for each chick was exactly 10 cents for 10 weeks, the small amount eaten the first four weeks leaving a surplus which was added to the latter period of the experiment. The weight of a chick at the end of 6 weeks was exactly 18 ounces or a pound and two ounces, the cost being 6 cents STANDAED AND COMMEEOIAL POUXTBY CUIiTTTBE. 123 Let us now look at the table and notice how it compares with the others, we doubling the weight of the chicks every ten days : Chicks at hatching 1% ounces, 10 days old 2% " 20 " " 5 30 " " 10 " 40 •< " 20 Now compare it with the first result which we gave in weeks and we find that in three weeks the chick weighed Q}4 ounces while in the case just mentioned the chick in 20 days weighed five ounces. We are satisfied with the diff ereuce or rather the close result. In thirty days the chick doubled from five ounces to 10 onnces. In the result by weeks we find that the chick four weeks old weighed 10 ounces, only two days difference in ages between them. In 40 days the chick weighed 20 ounces, having doubled again in 10 days. In the result by weeks, we find the chick at seven weeks old weighing 23V ounces and as the two days difference is something, it partially compensates for the heavier weight ; but we have demonstrated by two different experiments that a chick will double in weight every 10 days until it is 40 days old and that though not doubleing after that time the ratio of increase is, however, very rapid. It is conclusive then that a chick will gain at least one quarter of a pound every week on an av- erage, until it is three months old. In one experiment we found the cost of food four cents a pound and in the other we made it more but as the cost of food for the six weeks was six cents and the chicks weighed about 18 ounces, which is one pound and two ounces, the cost was a fraction over five cents a pound, but the ratio was reduced as the chicks advanced in age, as the gain in flesh was greater and hence in order to leave a fair margin we can confidently state that the maximum cost of a pound of chicken from the shell to maturity is five cents, but maturity means the moment a chick becomes a fowl, as it is easy to see that a fowl when once it has reached the limit of its weight, may become five years old and yet not weigh an ounce more but consume any amount of food. Thus young poultry can be produced the cheapest and with considerable less trouble and a better market." Suppose then we are fully prepared with houses, runs, heating ap- paratus, machinery for cooking our food and every contrivance for the better care and comfort of the fowls and chicks, suppose that 124 STANDABD AND COMMERCIAL POULTRY CULTURE. our parent stock be Brahmas and Cochins with high grade cocks as advised in these pages, suppose our process of cooked food be en- riched with ground meat from such dead animals as can often be secured as a gift and we feed these chicks every three or four hours what they will freely eat. The truth is irresistable that we should gain much in weight at the tender age of four weeks and be enabled to market them before they were large enough to occupy much space and at a net profit of from 40 to 70 cents per pound. Now we will suppose that our pullets lay 80 eggs each in six months, and that is a very low estimate since Mrs. Judie's Light Brahma pullets, advertis- ed in this book, exhibits an egg record of over 90 each in a little over five months, we will suppose that we hatch and raise one half of these eggs into vigorous chicks, and sell them at from GO to 70 cents per chick at four weeks old, the net profits per hen thus accrueing, must closely approximate $15 or $20, but, barring all accident and leaving the largest of margins that seriousness and honesty could ask, we think we shall not be criticised as uncandid nor extravagent in calcu- lating the actual profits of commercial poultry culture at $10 per hen during a period of six months, if planned and prosecuted as here ad- vised. We think from the foregoing, data may be furnished to enable all to see this subject and estimate its worth. We therefore close the consideration of this department of poultry culture in the honest belief that it promises more than any other known industry for the labor and capital required in this enterprise. STANDABD AND COMMERCIAL POULTRY CULTUBE. 125 CHAPTER XVI. A POULTRY FARM FOB EGGS. ITS REQUIREMENTS. HOW DISTINGUISHED FROM THE OTHER TWO DEPARTMENTS OF POULTRY CULTURE. ITS ESSENTIAL OUT LAY. THE AMOUNT OF LAND AND WHAT KIND. THE KIND OF BUILDINGS FOR 1,000 HENS. THE VARIETY OF HENS. HOW TO MANAGE. HOW TO ECONOMIZE. THE QUESTION OF THE MANURE. ROOSTS AND NEST. HOW TO PRESERVE THE EGGS. THE "havanna method" A FRAUD. THE ONLY TRUE PLAN OF PRE- SERVING EGGS. THE AMOUNT OF EGGS 1,000 HENS WILL LAY. THE PRICE TO BE EXPECTED FOR EGGS IN JANUARY AND FEBBUABY. THE PBOFITS OF THE EGG FABM. CONCLUSION. A POULTRY farm for eggs exclusively : We have classi- fied the natural divisions of a poultry farm under the caption of a poultry farm for commercial or market poultry ; a poultry farm for thoroughbred fowls and a poultry farm for eggs ; and having considered the first two in their somewhat intimate association, as goverened by the principles that apply to careful poultry culture in general, pointing out the exceptions and essential distinctions between the two depart- ments of the industry, we come now to offer only a few considera- tions that shall include the third and last department, viz. a poultry farm for eggs. If we cannot offer such fascinating figures in this as in the possibil- ities that fill the other fields, fill them with facts, fill them with ex- perimental demonstrations that drive out all doubt, if the egg farm be modest in comparison and content with its revenue, it has in its favor a few important facts that merit our consideration and its in- troduction to the full fraternity of the other departments of the great poultry industry. In the first place a poultry fasm for eggs requires but little capi- tal. That: then is a solid virtue. Let us specify. We need in this 128 STANDARD AND COMMERCIAL POULTRY CULTURE. no heating machinery, no division runs, no cocks to keep apart, no Incubator nor brooder, nor any expense of advertising or exhibiting which costs so heavily in the other departments of market and fancy poultry culture. These heavy drafts done away, the actual expense of this last and easiest enterprise is certainly very modest. We have nothing to do with male birds and so escape all rules and regulations of mating and expense of sub-divisions, forests of fences and their great expense. We require a two-horse shelling and grinding machine to crush our corn, oates, barley and cereal food and a chaldron for heating water to scald the food. Bran and shipstuff can be bought ready for use and suitable to mix with other ground food as good and cheaper than wheat. Oyster shell and bone meal can be bought as cheap as we can pre- pare them and so we escape the care and cost of the process. We have proposed to ourselves to offer at the last of this love feast with our friends the best of our book, and, if it shall be blest in its mis. sion in calling away from the other over crowded industries the capital and confidence required in this, if the great producing classes of my countrymen shall be incited from what we have said to serious- ly consider this question and decide to embark in this business and remove the stigma from this " granary of the world " implied in the annual importation from foreign countries of over 16,000,000 dozens of eggs to he consumed in this country, we shall feel that full satis- faction that flows from honest patriotic services to country and human kind. We need perhaps ten acres of ground for our pasture as we shall call it instead of a yard or pen. Our house should be built in the center of this clover field which should be set in the midst of an or- chard. We need the shade and the hens will help the trees by eating all the insects and so we cultivate a double crop. We select for our purpose say 1,000 hens and assign them to this clovered orchard of ten acres, surrounded by high and heavily barbed wire set closely together to keep out intruders. In the center we build our house. This house can bo built very crude and cheap or very elegant and costly, but the idea kept constantly in view all through this book has been to present this subject in its cheapest best and most economi- cal aspect otherwise we should have ordered our entire roof of glass and indicated other elegant outlay in keeping, but we doubt that STANDARD AND COMMERCIAL POULTRY CULTURE. 127 spending money for display beyond the actual necessity and come fort of the situation can be justified in ourselves much less can it be defended in advice to others. The question then in this connection is, how can we accommodate with safety and comfortable quarters 1,000 hens ? The main house should be 300 x 12 feet making 3, GOO square feet. The plan should be the box house or pine plank nailed upright to sills and plate, roof sloping oneway, this requires no frame nor rafters as the roof which should consist of pine plank sheeting may be nailed at each end to the plates and supported in the center by two rows of string- ers, 2x4 pieces, running parallel and four feet apart the full length of the building. These rest the roof in the center and the plates at the ends. So stayed, supported and fastened, the roof forms the top of the box and renders it firm and reliable and saves all framework and material. This roof should be covered with 2-ply tarred felt and graveled. The front or higher side of this house should be 8 feet and look to the north and the lower side 5 feet high and look to the south. This would let the roof slope to the south. Then set the roof as thickly as need be with large sash of glass for perfect light which would also contribute much to the warmth. Then on the north side, the higher side of the house, build a shed ten feet wide and the full length of the building, let it join the main building and its roof slope north and be covered as the building by tarred felt and gravel, this would protect them from the north wind and give 3,000 more feet, 6,600 square feet in both building and shed so combined. The com- munication between the two apartment could be made through doors. The floor of both buildings should be made of fine rock down to the depth of four inches, filled in with sand and covered with cement. This is necessary to keep the hens from scratching holes in the dirt floor but more especially to keep minks from entering at night and cutting the throats of 50 or 100 hens. The floor then covered deep with sand absorbs the manure and this sanded .guano will sell for four times as much as will pay for all the sand, its hauling and handling. Th~ nests should be so constructed as not to take up the room within the house and so should be built in the shed near the ground against the partition and entered from the main building through holes cut through the partition and so letting the hen enter the nest from the main building. 128 STANDARD AND COMMERCIAL POULTRY JOURNAL. The plan of the nests should be a long box running the fall length of the building, partitioned so that each nest would be 16 inches or a foot square, depending upon whether large or small hens were used. The eggs to be. gathered from the shed by lifting the top of the nest which might be made to hinge open. Other plans present themselves to me and still others will be sug- gested to others, and, bear in mind that all the plans that I offer are not at all arbitary but simply suggestive and such as commend themselves for simplicity and economy. The purpose being to be practical to make money. The roosts should run the full length of the building if necessary and consist of a folding frame attached to the south inner side of the shed, so constructed by hinges that each morning each section of the frame roost may be folded up and fas- tened against the side of the wall to which it is attached and let down again at night and so be always ready when wanted at night and al- ways out of the way wheen not needed during the day. Thus each morning the roosts may be raised and the droppings be gathered with a small amount of sand with a shovel and barreled ready for shipping when full. This much for our houses and contents except the water and feed. The former should be furnished from an ample cistern and pump within one end of the building supplied from the vast amount of roofing and the water pumped fresh for the hens in a suitable trough, three or four times a day inside the house in winter and out- side in summer. The ground, steamed food fed in shallow troughs in the same way. The ventilation should come from the highest point in the house, namely, its junction with the shed, and, where the air is allowed to enter the descent should be broken by a partial loft to avoid the evil influence of the least draft upon the fowls. Watchfulness and intel- ligence are requisite to decide when the fowls are comfortable and healthful. We come now in order to consider what varieties are best for this business ? We want a fowl that will lay the most eggs possible, that will -eat the least amount possible, that will not become broody, that are extremely hardy, that will diffuse themselves all over the ten acres of ground, that will not lay about and get too fat for this use. What fowl will fill the full measure of this requirement ? We want a fowl at the same time of sufficient size that when we want to fatten STANDAED AND COMMEBCIAL POULTBY CULTTJKE. 129 it in the fall for market, just about the period of moulting, it will weigh about 6 or 7 pounds, net. This must force our selection to a cross between the Leghorns and Asiatics or to the Plymouth Rocks, pure. But are we compelled to an annual sale of the whole thousand hens and replacing them with pullets ? And shall we make or lose by such annual sales ? We are obliged to sell unless we can depend upon the non-setting integrity of our hens the second summer and this can only be claimed as applicable to the Leghorn hens and so the Leghorns must be our choice unless we annually sell off the entire stock, for no other variety can be depended upon for two successive seasons. And if it be found advisable to fatten and market just be- fore moulting to escape the dangers from cholera among so many hens then we do not want the Leghorn on account of its being too small and because it will not lay any more eggs the first season, then the Buff Cochin or Brahma. If the size or weight of the egg entered into the question of price, then the Asiatics or high grade birds would be much the best, but so long as eggs are sold simply for so much per dozen, irrespective of size, then the Leghorn eggs are as profitable as any, and so these questions are introduced for practical consideration and we think fully illustrates the importance of what we aim at in this work, namely, of presenting every side of the sub- ject under the caption of what we may truly call " The Principles of Poultry Culture." We are inclined to advise for this farm the Leg- horn pullets and try them the second year. We need no fire or heating apparatus to this enterprise since it is not our purpose to call upon our pullets for eggs in the winter. We aim to carry these pullets through the winter well nourished for vigorous laying from January on until August thus covering the most prolific period of her life. The purpose being to pack the eggs the next morning after they are laid or the same night. And now we confront the question that has barred the great mass of those who keep poultry for profit from entering commercially into the production of eggs, we refer to the difficulty of preserving them for any considerable time perfectly pure. The difficulty that all have encountered should we think be first pointed out and then the right direction and the reason. We ourselves tried the famous "Havanna Method" and failed; first, because the "Havanna method " like the " Common Sense Hatcher " is destitute of the very essentials upon which success wholly depends. Second, it does not 130 STANDARD AND COMMERCIAL POULTRY CULTURE. exclude the cocks from association with the hens and so allows the eggs to become fertilized. Such an egg is very easily injured by the action of heat and it is almost impossible to gather eggs promiscu- ously and not include in your packing many that are blighted, even after subjecting all to the closest teat before a strong light. If only a few be blighted they injure all the rest, and so this fundamental fact is foreign to the method above mentioned. No method can keep pure eggs perfect if once they be fertilized. "What are the facts as afforded by actual experience ? An egg fer- tilized and subjected to heat will evince the transforming influence of the vital germ in a very few hours, whereas an egg not fertilized may be placed in an Incubator and subject to one hundred and three degrees of heat for ten or fifteen days and the egg will then look and smell and taste and digest perfectly pure. These are the all sufficient tests and prove that non-fertilized eggs will keep perfectly as against heat. But, how shall we pack them for certain success and assurance that they will be preserved pure through the whole of the spring, summer and atumnal season on until the price of eggs reaches from 25 to 40 and 50 cents in December and January ? We answer, have no male birds on the place, raise your own eggs, gather them every night, let them get cool, pack them in perfectly pure and clean large boxes in a deep, dark, cold cellar in salt, with the big end of the egg down and the little end up, with salt between the layers and also between each egg. Why the big end down ? Because the air chamber is then at the bottom and supports the egg and as the air cannot escape up- ward and out but is beneath the egg's substance it does not escape at all. Whereas if the small end be down the air evaporates and the contents of the egg descend into the contracted space of the small end and often ruptures the lining membrane or allows air to enter above it and below the air chamber. Thus surrounded with the chlorine in the salt and free from any principle that can awaken ch&nge within the egg, thus packing on the big end and away from the light and where it is cool eggs will keep sweet and pure all sum- mer. The limeing process we think injurious because too caustic and has the effect when in solution of encrusting the egg and changing the color of the albumen a greenish straw color. All this requires much care in washing when ready for shipment. But we have been asked, " Is it possible that hens will lay without a male bird ?" STANDARD AND COMMERCIAL POULTRY CULTURE. 131 Persons who have raised chickens all their life ask seriously how long It takes the Incubator to hatch its brood and if we are in earnest in the assurance that ovulation in the hen is entirely uninfluenced by the cock ? Surely poultry culture is in its infancy. Well, we shall assume that no one will doubt that vigorous and well cared for Leghorn pullets will lay 130 eggs each inside of eight months. This with 1,000 such pullets would give us 130,000 eggs or 10,833)^ dozens and counting these at 25 cents per dozen, gives us $2,708,25 or barring all accident and leaving a wide margin in price since at the season of the year specified it is never difficult even in villages to command from 35 to 45 cents for good eggs in January and until the 25th of February, but in great and populous cities it is more than reasonable to assume you can engage your ten or fifteen thousand dozens at from 35 to 50 cents per dozens, Thus the egg farm with but little cost and care when compared with all other avocations that yield the same income will be found the least hazardous and tho most fruitful. We believe it entirely safe to estimate a net profit of over $2 per hen. We have endeavored in presenting the great subject of poultry culture to the public in its triple aspect, divided as we did into its natural departments, to place each department before the public on its legitimate business basis. We, of course, could not be expected to assure any one nor do we know the realities wrapped up in either branch of this industry. We can offer you as much exactness as in agriculture or in merchandise or in the professions, we have given the underlieing principles of poultry culture and introduced it with all its past and its present status to your consideration. We have aimed above all things to be honest and place before all, the facts and the philosophy in their support, so that all might judge of the just- ness of our conclusions. In short, our purpose has been from the beginning of this book to include in its scope an honest advocacy of artificial incubation, and rearing chicks of all kinds, including their feed and essential necessities, their mating, management, dis- eases, cause and sure ; the possible profits of all departments of poultry culture end its history, past and present ; its development and all the influences that effect it. We have given it much thought and labor and hope we have succeeded to your satisfaction; and now dear friend, whoever and wherever you may be, if after you have read this book you desire to become a poultrymeu by profession be 132 STANDAED AND COMMERCIAL POULTEY CULTUEE. careful and educate upward, slowly, economically and thus surely. Do not hurry ! the field will never be full. Its history points the other way, but that need not discourage us. We have intimated the prejudice and inacquaintance with the fundamental principles of poultry culture and have aimed to remove the dangers to be dreaded through disease. We believe we have proved that poultry culture will pay, and now as we part from this delightful theme we feel a sad- ness in saying farewell. We offer you all with our blessing and the hope that these pages will prove of great service to your business of scientific profitable poultry culture. Yours Fraternally, T. B. Spalding. STANDABD AND COMMEKCIAL FOTJLTBY CULTTJBE. 133 G to o E bjO C o o H 7, «H 8 8£ ■9 § •i % .2 -^ I 8 ft o 3d ^ ^8 134 STANDABD AND COMMEBCTAL POULTEY CULTURE. *HE illustration and description of the Brooding House, with the article following is by I. K. Felch, and considering it of great merit, we asked permission of the publisher of Mr. Felch's book, Mr. W. H. Harrison, of Chicago, to use it in our book. Mr. Felch, says: Our plan for a chicken house is different from all others we have examined, and our brooders different. But Mr. Tribon, of Brockton, Mass., has the same thing, to all intents and purposes, only he uses a plain sheet of zinc instead of the water pans, relying on dry hot air, which we are not sure is just as well in the winter as to secure the moist heat over hot water, as per plan of brooders. V V V^ 5X 12 5X12 5X12 5X12 5X12 5X12 5X12 5X12 vWyVWyvR/vW^v^yVWyVWA.1^ Hall Way 3 ft. wide -6 inches lower than the Chicken Rooms Fig. 2 GBOUND PLAN FOB CHICKEN HOUSE. A BBOODEB Fig. 3 Fig. 4 Our chicken house is 15x40 feet in main building, cut up into a hallway (see ground plan), 3x40 feet and six inches lower than the STANDARD AND COMMEBCIAL POULTEY CUXTUBE. 125 chicken rooms, eight in number, matching the eight wire projections 5x4 in front to enable the chicks to take the air at will. They should be induced to take advantage of them by feeding them meat, excit- ing them to exercise while enjoying the tidbits of their noon meal. Each of the 5x12 foot rooms is furnished with a brooder (see Figs. 3 and 4), the base (Fig. 3) being made square in front with a door to admit the lamp, the two sides and rear end being cut mitring, so as to have a base nine inches high. On this base rests a galvanized iron pan three-fourths of an inch deep, the rear flange wide enough to let through a tube of tin one and one-half inches in diameter, that all smoke may escape from as well as give draft to the lamp. Above the flange of the pan (by which means it is held in its position) a strip one half inch, or say three-fourths inches thick, and one inch wide is nailed, except on each side and end is left a gap of one inch, making an air-hole three-fourths by one inch (see Fig. 3.), and upon this rim rests the floor of the brooder one-half inch thick, thus leav- ing between the floor and the water in the pan an air-space one inch in heighth. In the center of brooder floor see tube two inches high and one and one-half inches in diameter that draws the hot air up from over the tank as it becomes warmed in its passage from the sides through the air-hole over the water, and it is radiated out over the chicks and escapes through the fringe of the brooder cover (Fig. 4), the cover resting on the base (Fig. 3), as indicated by dotted lines. The brooder is heated by a kerosene light of the Diamond burner style. The base of brooder is 45x48 inches when it rests on the floor, and 30x36 on the floor of the brooder, the cover being 22x30 inches long. On a warm night the chicks will lay all round the cover on the rim of the floor outside, and for this reason we make the cover smaller than the floor of the brooders. By our ground plan you see from the hallway these brooders (Fig. 2, A) are fitted into the chicken rooms so the floor of the brooder only rises two inches above the chick's earth floor : this gives easy access to the brooder for them. This we believe the best and cheapest brooder one can build. -A.TV. erican Poultry DB*ooc3L- Trial Package, one lbs., sent by mail, - - $ .60 Two lbs., by express, .70 Five lbs., - - - - - - • 1.25 Ten lbs., ______ 2.00 Twenty -five lhs., _____ 4.50 Fifty lbs., - - - - - - 8.00 ap-ULir© 0__"ia.>s____ecSL Hart*?- Bone. The bone we sell is made from selected shank bones, are crushed raw, and thoroughly dried, thus preserving all the gelatin and nut- riment of the bones that are entirely lost when the bones are boiled or burned. No poultry raiser should be without bone in his yards, if he wants strong healthy fowls. Fifteen lbs., by express. - $1.00 Twenty-five lbs., - - - - 1.50 Fifty lbs., _ _ _ _ _ 2.50 One hundred lbs., - 4.00 Add 50 cents for Cartage if sent by Freight. C3rx*a___L-u.la,toci Oyster Sliell. This shell is all made from clean, sweet, fresh oyster shells, and is the best that can be produced. Twenty-five lbs., by express, $ 1.00 Fifty lbs., ------ 1.75 One hundred lbs., ----- 2.50 Add 50 cents for Cartage if sent by freight. TTJT'arca.'s noup Fil-Lss. These pills are intended for obstinate cases of Roup, and will, if followed up by care and cleanliness, cure in nearly every case. Box 50 pills, sent by mail - 50c Box 100 pills, - - - - - - 75c "\7VaL__*ci.' , s Cholera _E=»±lls- These piils have cured many cases of Cholera that seemed hopeless. But no medicine can cure all cases of Cholera, for if not taken in time, it will not do any good. Box 50 pills, sent by mail, - 50c Box 100 pills, - - - - - - 75c For sale by American Poultry Journal, Chicago, III. IS A THREE-COLUMN, THIRTY-SIX PAGE, BEAUTIFULLY ILLUSTRATED MAGAZINE. Published at Chicago, 111., Subscription $1.00 a year. It is devoted to breeding and management of MIHMZRY, EI6B0FJ3 PR@ WEW STOCK. It has the largest Corps of Practical Breeders, as Editors and Correspon- dents, of a ny Journal of its class in America, and is the FINEST POULTRY JOURNAL IN THE f ORLD ! VOL. 17 BEGINS JANUARY, 1886. NO OTHER FIRST-CLASS POULTRY JOURNAL OFFERS SUCH LOW CLUB RATES. READ THIS SPECIAL OFFER! To Five Subscribers, One Year for - $3 00 To Ten " " " - 5 00 Send Six Cents for Specimen Copy. TH E P DULTE R ERS QU IDE Is a 48 page book, for treating diseases of poultry. Giving, con- cisely, the symptons of each disease, and remedies for their treat- ment and cure. Al so directions for Caponizing fowls, and the feed- ing and careing for chickens hatched in an Incubator, and many other things useful to the amateur and experienced breeder. Price only 25 cents, paper cover, or 40 cents bound in cloth. Address. American Poultry Journal, 103 State Street, - - Chicago, 111- > We offer to the public, to whom we appeal to jndge it upon its merits and with good common sense. Our system of brooding is in every respect equal to our system of hatching, and we can show that a loss of five per cent, in raising is too large, if proper care is given. We invite all interested to call and see us — see our Factory, our Brooding house, which holds 3,500 chickens, and see the chickens themselves. We can prove what we claim. All information free. PERFECT HATCHER CO., Elmira, I. Y. The Original, Most Successful and Complete in the World! An Introduction given to Axford's ' ic ubators at Colonel Wood's Museum, Chicago, by one of the These are Incubators, hatching by artificial means. Early chicks are what we want ; hens have no such de- sire. In 1870, with all the resources of science and skill, it was a marvel that attempts had not been made suc- cessful to excell Egypt and China, where for hundreds if not for thou- sands of years they have been hatched in immense numbers. There the fav- orable conditions must not be forgot- ten. The profession being handed down feom father to son, and all its details kept religiously secret. No European has ever bean allowed to visit the interior of the oven. Here we show yon the Chicago style ! Mr. Price $170.00 Axford, schooled in the geological museums of London, and having: been awarded prizes for electrical instru- ments in that city, in 1884, was a fit man to undertake it, and was first shown here in 1875, hatching chickens between Christmas and New Years. Chick- ens from it hatching on the cars, in the Northwest, with the thermometer 20 degrees below zero ; on the upper decks of the U. S. mail boats, on the Mississippi ana Ohio Rivers, to Canada and sunny Mexico it has pleased thousands. They are also hatching now on the lakes. Mr. Axford ran 23 at the Southern exhibition, the grandest effort ever made of modern incuba- tion and were the only ones present. The machines are quite simple, and if you have any friends in the country, they will be under obligations to you when you send them our circular. We have now excellent facilities for doing fine work, having introduced machinery, and employ non but the best of skilled mechanics. Look out for the original as infringements are out. " No Incubator is of any value nnless it contains within itself every con- dition that nature furnishes for the successful hatching of the chick." Here is where the Axford lays out all other competitors. Send stamp for circular. Be sure and write your Name, Town, County, and State, plainly, and give full shipping directions when ordering. Inquire at 5th and Cottage Grove Avenue. AXFOHI> c*3 BRO., CHICAG-O, XXjXj. Take Cottage Grove Ave. Cars, or 111. C. R. R. to 43d St. m ftXFORD'S e INCUBATORS The Original, Most Successful and Complete in the World , Price, $30.00, Capacity 11 Dozen. 60,00, " 35 Additional Nests of any Capacity, may be added at any time. Price of 1 1 Doz., $20.00, and 32 Doz. $35. oQ seasoned and Re-tested Thermometers, Boxed $1. |>> Sent by mail free «lGETOUREGGTESTER!t» And thereby hatch twice as many chickens. The result will surprise you ! —Any one can use it. Mailed for 35 cents.— „ ■=Qb_ j0 . ODR ALARM BELL FOR HEAT OR COLD ! Is a wonder, and will always do good service as an extra guard against ac- cidents, or any maliciously disposed person. As an alarm in case of fire it is invaluable, and will save lives and any amount of property. Price $6.00, including the battery. 02-^20 We have nerer sold Brooders, but give plans to our customers how to build them, as well as cheap permanent brooding houses for large quanti- ties in which chicks can be grown cheaply with ease. But for any who may not have the facilities, we will make one for sample, for 50 chicks with lamp, etc., $12. Send stamp for circular. Be sure and write your name, town, county and State, plainly, and give full shipping directions when ordering. Enquire at 45th and Cottage Grove Avenue. LID cfe BRO., CHICAGO, ILL. Take Cottage Grove Ave. Cars or 111. C. R. R, to 43th St. CAPON INSTRUMENTS, IRSJPRUfflBRSPS F6R SRflKIRS GflFS^S, -WITH FULL PRINTED INSTRUCTIONS. ^M &S^c -^MANUFACTURER OF^* FINE CUTLERY AND SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, E.H.YARNRLL, 115 SOUTH 10TH ST. PHILADELPHIA, PA. | « THE CLIMAX JNOUBflTOR AND BROODER. * ) The Climax Incubator stands at the head of the list. Heat, Moisture and Ventilation under perfect control. It has the finest regulator of any Incubator in the World, the Electric Bell is a perfect safe guard againts all accident* Cheap, simple, durable reliable. CLIMAX BROODER It is just as perfect as the Hatcher, positively non-crowding, perfectly heated and ventilated, and has all the essentials of a first-class mother. T- I*. OOXJSIKTJS c*3 CO., 251a:o_o, MicKleeu. Oo- ? Fa» jgi^SSend for Descriptive Pamphlet. *d THE f> «°* W ™Z CUB >«>* This niachine has made the best public and private record of any Incuba- tor ever invented. It has never hatched less than 90 per cent, of the fertile eggs wherever it has been exhibited in public. The " Monarch " won the first premium in the great competition of In- cubators at Madison Square Garden, New York City, February, '85., for hatching the greatest number of chickens, and the best percentage of eggs Thirty-two machines competing, W. C. Baker, Judge. The eggs were carried three hundred miles in a trunk the day before hatching. Waltham, Dec. 11, '84. The committee on awaiding the prize of forty dollars, offered by the " Waltham Fanciers' Club," for the best approved Incubator in actual oper- ation, hatching chickens during the exhibition, Dec. 9, 10 and 11, 1884, awarded the prize to the " Monarch " Incubator, invented and exhibited by James Rankin, of South Eas.on, Mass. And the committee do hereby cer- tify, that the hatch was 95 per cent, of 475 eggs which were placed in the Incubator the first day the exhibition opened ; and that the eggs were out of the Incubator three hours and fifteen minutes in transporta- tion, and were transported forty miles by rail and four miles by carriage- road before arriving at the exhibition. J. H. SWASEY. ) Geo. Wolley J- Committee. W. E. Shedd, ) Taunton, Jan. 11, 1884. Mr. James Rankin : We desire to thank you for the fine display you made with your Incuba- tor at our fair last week. It was the center of attraction for all. The fact that you brought about 400 eggs from Easton with the mercury at zero, packed them in the Incubator and had them hatching the next day, and got a yield of 90 per cent, in fine healthy chickens, is recommendation enough for your machine. Wishing you the success you deserve, we remain, yours truly, F. L. Fish, Pres. of Southern Mass. Poultry Association. Philander WilliAms, Vice-Pres. of Southern Mass. Po'ltry Asso'tion. ^P^Send for Circular. Address JAMES RANKIN, South Easton, Wee IAemrbfi Brssbbr! No more failures in the Poultry busieess on account of Inability to Raise Chicks. THE MOST RELIABLE BROODER ON THE MARKET, MANUFACTURED BY PELZ & GO., -DEALERS IN- INCUBACORS^ POULTRY SUPPLIES Of every description. All the leading Incubators in constant oper- ation at our store- Send for our price list. 103 North Second St. PHILADELPHIA, PA HBTCHER^BROODER! The " Success " Hatcher now stands Second to None. It is the best ELECTRIC REGULATED INCUBATOR ! In the world. We make no exceptions. The battery lasts two years without any attention and turns the Lamp Flame down and opens the valve without any complicated clock work. It has extra moisture pans for use in warm weather, saving the trouble of sprinkling the eggs. We are willing to put the " Success " against any Electric Regulated Incubator in the world for $100.00 cash. Di- plomas or Medals not wanted. jflgpSend for our new circular giving testimonials. It will only cost you a postal card. Address, THE "SUCCESS HATCHER CO., Lancaster, Pa. THE BEST HATCHERS AND BROODERS ON EARTH! The vexed question at last solved. The long looked for perfection in artificial hatching realized without batteries, springs or clock work. We guarantee the machine to keep the same tempera- ture winter or summer. It requires no Electrician or Engineer. A child can manage it successfully. PRICE-LIST OF HATCHERS. No. I, 200 Egg Capabity. - $35.00 " 2, 400 '■ " - 65.00 " 3, 800 " " - 100.00 PRICE-LIST OF BROODERS. *o. 1, 200 Chicks, - - $15.00 " 2, 400 <• - 25.00 " 3, 800 30,00 Send For Oircular. -FOE ALL KINDS OF- > G. C CTHXFPUi A CO.. NO. 59 MARKET ST. - - CHICAGO, ILL. <*1C.V. GROSS, t» .MANUFACTURER OF_ THE WESTERN MUBATOR —And the GROSS Automatic Self-Feeding— iBtoufeat©^ Lamp, Drinking Fountains, Hgg Testers and o Egg Turning Trays and Poultry Breeders' Supplies. 2117 and 3119 State St. Chicago. 111. THE BEST MACHINE OUT THE AMERICAN Ifi INCUBATOR The Incubator above Illustrated embodies in mam ^Principles employed in the construction of the AMERICAN INCUBATOR for the past year. But I have spared no pains or expense of money, thought or labor to improve my machine in every possible way, and to keep fully abreast with the advanced thought of the times. The American Incubator is offered to the public in full confidence that it meets a long and widely-felt, as well as growing need of poultry rais- ers whether producing for the market or simply for fancy. No. 1, holding 150 eggs 1, with extra oven 2, holding 250 eggs 2, with extra oven 3, holding 500 eggs $30 00 45 00 35 00 55 00 50 00 Brooder capable of containing 100 chicks, complete, g ^ TheTncubato^ with all its parts, crated for shipmen^we_^hs about 150 pounds ; brooder, BO pounds: J- J_>- SJVLi A -"•> 4225 Laiigley Av„ Chicago, 111- |o. a oubhxngu ST. LOUIS. - MO. c^n Breeder of Thoroughbred Pedegree Ejig^lxt Bralimas, H.- O- TTVliite Legliorns, nyna.oTa.tlx Hocl3Ls and. Royal rols-ixx ZDtxcIsjs. I>0<>0< I keep nothing but the very best. Satisfaction guaranteed. ©@ THE NEW "SUCCESS" HSTCHER! Stands at the head. The flame turns up and down and the valve opened and closed with out clock work, weights, chain or pulleys. Our —new battery needs no attention for two years.— (JEP^Read what ihe author of this book says : C. C. Gushing: 402 North Second Street, St. Louis, Mo. Dear Sir : The 400 egg " Success " came and is in line of duty, andholde her temperature to a dot. She works like " a thing of life." I verily be lieve her, all things considered, her beauty and merit, her perfect reliability and her low price, and in fact, her Perfect Success, to be the best machine in existence. Yours Fraternally. T. B. Spalding, M. D., Edwardsville, 111. BUYING <0 Incubators, Brooders, Fowls, Eggs, Wire Ming, Poultry Journal or BooKs |>» Send for my fine Illustrated Circular. N. B.— Machine Shipped From St. Louis or Lancaster, Pennsylvania I THERMOSTATIC 1 1NCUBATOR, 14 VENCILBTING BROODER In their Operation copy the hen more closely than any other machine. THE THERMOSTATIC INCUBATOR Regulates the heat automatically and certainly without using electri- cal apparatus, and without lamp trips ; has constant descending ventilation, so that it does not become foul ; supplies mois- ture automatically ; enahles the chick to leave the egg trays as soon as hatched, so that the eggs are not fouled by droppings ; is more easily managed than any other incubator ; has the best record of any machine in the market. VENTILATING BROODER Heats and ventilates from beneath by warm air, and obviates the stifling of chickens by crowding. For testimonials and price list ap- ply to E. S. BESWICK, Patentee ana Manufacturer, 19 Park Place, - - New York, N. Y << JAMES E.WHITE> WAUKEGAN, LAKE, CO. ILL. <§BREEDER OF@ PLYMOUTH ROCKS#WYHNDOTTES. Winners of the highest honors at Chicago, Indianapolis, Cleveland, Toledo, St. Louis, etc. My birds have won the best prizes wher- ever exhibited, and are recognized as the choicest in America. Have been a breeder continuously for ten years, and an exhibitor for nine consecutive years. PLYMOUTH ROCKS, GMT OF BATTLES STRAIN, " Giant of Battles " was the sire of " Ben Hur " and the grandsire of "True Blue," both of which birds I raised and sold ; and this strain has produced more prize-winners during the past four years than any other in America. RECORD, 1885: At the Great Chicago Exhibition , won 1st, 2d, 3d and 4th on Cocks 2nd, 4th, and 5th on Hens ; 1st and 3d on Cockerels ; 1st, 3d, 4th and 5th on Pullets, and 1st and 3d on breeding-pens WYANDOTTES, Black-Hawk, Strain. RECORD, 1885. At the Great Chicpgo Exhibition my birds won 1st, 3d and 4th on Cockerels ; 1st, 2d. 3, 4th and 5th on Pulletts ; 1st & 2d on Breeding-pens THE WORLD'S FAVORITE! IFor Sale No^t 1 . The universal experience of eminent Poultry Fanciers accords the Light Brahma the first place in egg production and for a profitable and all purpose fowl. I breed them exclusively from Felch's Pedi- greed Registered Fowls. EGGS IN SEASON $4.00 PER 13. Too FINE CHICKS FOR SALE NOW, 100 "No variety of pure-bred Poultry has retained the public favor and that of poultry fanciers so long, as the Light Brahma." American Poultry Journal. "Light Brahmas never lose their hold on public favor. " Fancier's Gazette. "The Light Brahma has been thoroughly canvassed for 30 year's, have never been supplanted by any breed and thus they bring the best evidence of their merit. They bear the stamp of true nobility in form and carriage, and will please and satisfy all who love large fowls." Joseph Wallace, Ed, Nat. Poultry Monitor'. "Mrs. Judy and her splendid Light Brahmas will never disappoint anybody. Db. T. B. Spallding. My male birds score up in the nineties, and pullets 94 and upwards. One pullet "Daisy" began laying at six months, and laid 15 eggs in February, and 94 eggs in the following 97 days. My three "Belles of Madison " laid 275 eggs in 106 days. Address, MRS. R. A. JUDY, Edx^-ax-diS "trill©, 111. CHE POULTRY KEEPER ! Has the Largest Circulation of any Poultry Paper , n , ^ in the "World.[E^« > _ P. B. JACOBS, Xdltor. PUBLISHED AT- PARKESBURG, CHESTER COUNTY. PENNSYLVANIA. Subscriptions : One Year, 50 cents ; Six months, 25 cents. Has over 100 contributors. Is a free and independent journal, and is filled with choice reading matter on o» SASVEFIjIE COFY FREE TO AIjIj The Poultby Keepeb was formerly published at Chicago, by W. V. R. Powis. It has been purchased by a company, who intend to give it every advantage. The company does not deal in any kind of poultry supplies except books, preferring to push the paper, and give the adver- tisers the benefit of all sales. USF'Send for a Sample Copy. Address, POULTRY KEEPER, Parteslmrg, CHester County, Pennsylvania. CTESTOXTS / WYANDOTTES, WHITE COCHINS, WHITE LEGHORNS, ' WHITE CRESTED BLACK POLISH. Winner's of 1st Prizes at the Worlds Expositions, New Orleans, and at leading exhibition during the last six years. Send for illus- trated circular. Address, HIG-HLAND PARK, ILL. Grind Your Own Bone Meal, Oyster Shells and Corn in the $5 Hand Mill (F. Wilson's Pat.). Circulars Free. Address » WILSON BROS. Easton, Pa.! m 100 per ct. more made in keeping poultry. SHILOH, N. J., CUMBEBIiAND County, Feb. 1884. Wilson Bros Dear Sirs :— I deceived the bone and shell mill you sent in the Fall. Should have acknowledged the receipt of it sooner, but I wanted to give it a fair trial, which I have done, and would recommend it to all who keep poultry. I would not take twenty-five dollars for mine if I could not get another. P. S.— To prove my assertion above : While my neigh- bors during the month of January, were getting but 2 or 3 eggs a day. I was getting from 20 to 41 per day. From January 1st to the 31st inclusive, 1 got 792 eggs from my flock. I have callers almost every day to see the mill. Yours Truly, Geobge Bonttatvt. EDWARDSVILLE, ILLINOIS, Originator and Breeder of the OM ftE STRAIN OF BUFF CO CHINS «1 PURE PARTRIDGE COCHINS l> DARK BRAHMAS AND ESSEX PLYMOUTH ROCKS , n , ^ ALSO F^=> , . FO^TLS aixca. CHICKS Of highest standard excellence for sale. I raise and sell nothing but the very best stock. Eggs for sale in season at $5 per 13. ^SfSend 2-cent Stamp for Illustrated Circular. i xps^ JsMm $ CENTRAL ILLINOIS POULTRY YARDS, W. L. E, JOHNSON, Bvi.ols.ley, IroQTjiois Co., Ills. Importer and Breeder High Class Langshan's — AND — TVliite Cocliins. SEND FOB CIRCULAR. (%\W¥? ^wH^ Pmepi(iaH*l , ©uIfePY#F©®d! a tonic food that keeps fowls healthy, and Carries them Through Moulting Safely. It is made of the purest and best materials, and contains the phos- phates and iron, etc., that go to form bone, re-invigorates the blood and in every way tone up and strengthen the_ system. All these in- gredients are in such form as to be quickly assimilated by digestion and the good effects are at once visible in the appearance of the fowls. In offering this preparation to the public, the proprietors are aware of the difficulty attending the introduction of an article claim- ing so much as the "Poultry Food " without the support of un- undoubted evidence of its value. We have, therefore, taken the liberty to publish a few of the numerous letters received from well-known gentlemen in poultry breeding, who have used it, and whose testi- mony raises the article above suspicion of any attempt to humbug the people. (These testimonials will be sent to anyone who wishes to see them. ) The first effect of the " Food" is to bring the Fowls into a fine, healthy condition, thus fortifying them against the maladies which, as in the human family, first attack the least vigorous. It also sup- plies all the material of which the egg is composed, and by its tonic and gently stimulating action enables the fowls to yield a supply of eggs that seem incredible to a person accustomed to receive only the ordinary number from his hens. Its general bracing effect on fowls acts as a preventive of the ord- inary diseases, such as Roup, Cholera, etc., and even after an at- tack, it will soon restore them to perfect health. When the fowl has Cholera, or Roup, also in damp, cold weather, the dose should be in- creased to double the quantity directed. For Sale by AMERICAN POULTRY JOURNAL, Chicago, III. PHENIQUE. Best disenfeotant for Poultry Houses yet discovered. Price , 5 pounds - $ .50 10 pounds - - 1.00 PERSIAN INSECT POWDER. The only thing safe to use on young chicks to exterminate lice. Sample box by mail - - $ .75 By express, one dollar per pound. GALVANIZED STEEL WIRE NETTING. 2 inch mesh, by the roll, of 50 yards at \% cents per square foot any width. Price less than roll 2^ cents per square foot. WILSON'S BONE MILLS Price. - - - - $5.00 each. INCUBATORS AND BROODERS. We furnish any make of Incubators and Brooders at manufacturers prices. COXIGRU. Exterminates all lice and vermin, especially good for setting hen's nests. Price, by mail, 1 lb, 50 cts ; by express, 5 lbs. $1.25 ; 10 lbs. $1.75 WARDS AUTOMATIC WATER FOUNTAINS. For Poultry and Pigeons always clean. Never runs over or drowns the chicks. Price 75 cents each. $7.00 per doz. J@f~ Send for our illustrated price list of poultry yard supplies. Containing instruction how to make capons. Sent on receipt of a 2-cent stamp. American Poultry Journal, Chicago. i f MEAT AND VEGETABLE CHOPPER! j This is the Best Chopper for Breeders now in the Market. No. 1, 8 inch cylinder, Price, - - 85 00 Outs three pounds of meat in three minutes. Sufficiently large for a flock of fifty fowls. No. 2, 10 inch cylinder, Price, - - 7 00 Cuts five or six pounds in three to four minutes. Suitable for a flock of 160 fowls. No. 3, 12 inch cylinder, Price, - - 10 00 Cuts eight to ten pounds, in four minutes. This size is especially adapted for cutting cooked meats, fruit and vegetables, for those raising fowls for market ; can furnish larger sizes that cut 100 pounds an hour, prices up to $75. Insect Powder Blowers, each 35 cents, by mail. Carbolated Sulphur Nest Eggs, 75 cents per dozen, by express only. Egg-shipping Labels, 50 cents per 100. Spring Punch, for marking chickens, $1.00. This is a spring punch, and makes a clean cut. It does not bruise the web of the foot nor make it sore. Cuts hole this size : O Tube Egg Testers, by mail, 30 cents. Ward's Farmers Caponizing Instruments, per set, with spreader, $2.75. Tarnall's, the finest made, per set, $4.00. For Sale by American Poultry Journal, 103 State St. Chicago, III. FRISBEE'S: ART: STUDIO E^IANDr^ wmotq. aopmsr c ao^gii, No . 1 , Cedar Avenue. MAG-NOLIA, NANSEMOND CO., VIRGINIA. I take this method of introducing my business, which is exclusively the copying of all kinds of pictures to cabinet and card sizes, from wood cuts, tintypes, engravings, or any picture of any person, building or animal. Fanciers now have an opportunity of getting a genuine Photograph of themselves, or pets, at a low rate, and a hne Photograph of stock you can offer to your customers at a very reasonable price, thereby making it of mutual benefit. Mail me any picture you wish copied, with money enclosed, and I will fill your order promptly, and return your original picture if desired. These Photographs ar# taken in the most artistic manner ; the best ma- terial is used and I will guarantee a photograph equal or superior to the copy sent, or cheerfully refund your money. I guarantee all work. Compare my prices with your Photographers, and see if you cannot get them of me much cheaper. I can generally improve the style of an old photograph. Can copy from any sized picture . Where you have not a picture it is cheapest to get a tintype taken. The following are my lowest prices for Photographs of Poultry or Pet Slock of any kind : WHOLESALE PRICE LIST OF FINE BURNISHED PHOTOGRAPHS Cabinet, $1.80, per doz.; 1-2 doz. $1.00; 4 doz. $6,00 ; 8 doz. $10.00. Cards, 1.25, U .80; 4 400; 8 6.00 Where special negatives are wanted of persons, stock or buildings, I can take no order for less than two dozen, at the above rate. I have been in- spired by a desire to furnish my friends with Photographs at a reasonable price, so that all could afford to have them, and I trust to receive a share of your patronage. I shall endeavor to satisfy every one favoring me with an order. If you wish to see samples of my work before ordering I will send them as fol- lows : Cabinets 25 cents; Cards 15 cents; Stamps 3 cents each, in two cent postage stamps or silver. I cannot send samples free but will deduct price from lirst order, which will insure me from loss, as my prices are very close. Send 8 cents per doz. for cards, and six cents per doz. for Cabinets and I will send them by mail. Address letters to FRISBEE'S ART STUDIO, Magnolia, Mseionl Co. Va. Jg^Send 10 cents for Catalogue giving full particulars, and samples of stamp photographs. In tvriting to above be sure to mention POULTRY CULTURE. sid. eoweEit, Feather from a 96% point Plymouth Rock. BREEDS MORE, AND FINER PRIZE PLYMOUTH ROCKS AND WYANDOTTES. Stock always for sale at low prices. For quality of stock send for new il- lustrated circular ; giving prices, matings and prizes won at the big shows. Egers from prize birds $3 and $5 a sitting. Also fine prize Jersey cattle for sale at low prices, get the best and finest of SID. CONGER, Flat Rock, Ind. THE* ; NHIONUj j INCUBATOR,; ] «] IMMENSE SUCCESS !»o It is so pronounced by the practical breeders and farmers from all over the country. The hatching qualities are unexcelled. The average being from 90 to 98 per cent. Price and capacity as follows : lOO Eggs - $12 OO 2SO " - - 18 OO SOO " - - - 23 OO Agent for the Yarnel Caponizing instruments, the best in use. Also for all Poultry Journals and any poultry book published. I issue semi-annu- ally, from 20,000 to 25,000 circulars. It is a first class advertising medium as testimonals show. Send stamp for circular. Address, 74 South Ave. E. E. BADGER, BocHester. N. Y. JOTPJJI :v ..." . •-., .- , . . ■'; mii^Sti salts HwTd