Poultry Scratchings.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 445, 12 February 1890, Page 3

Poultry Scratchings.

Convinced of His Innocence. —“ You must admit, Jim Webster, that you stole those pullets,” said the Galveston judge to the culprit. “ Jedge,” responded Jim, “ I don’t really believe I stole dem chickens. In de fust place, Jedge, nobody saw me take ’em. In de next place, dey could not be found on my premises, because I had done hid dem chickens under de floor. I can’t help believin’, Jedge, dat I is innocent as a lamb.”

Feeding for Fattening. —Fowls cannot be made to fatten when only partly matured, a few breeds excepted, for they need most of their food tor growth, like spare youths, who eat voraciously and growprodigiously, while remaining awkward and long. This is no reason why chickens intended for the table should not be generously fed, for the more they eat, the greater the quantity of their flesh, of course ; the quality is also much better. Adult fowls can be fattened UDon grain of various sorts, fed for a change. But as variety not only stimulates appetite, but aids digestion, a very little animal food of extra nice quality, as nice beef’s liver, or other butcher’s meat, should be added daily, and fresh vegetables also. Bub on no account give much of these last, for not only is grain cheaper and productive of the best quality of flesh, but much meat is too exciting, and vegetables fed freely keep the bowels too active, and therefore retard fattening. Friendly Advice to Fanciers. —Study the habits of your fowls, give them unremitting attention, they will pay you for all the care you give them. Invite your neighbours and show them the difference between a mongrel and a pure-bred bird. Don’t be selfishly afraid they may step into the ranks of breeders and compete with you. There is room, always room for those who get to the bop. Be ready at all times to give information ; do nob adopt a new breed before you fully understand the breeding of the variety you have. Write for your poultry journal the results of your experience so that others may be benefited. Work with head and heart for the interest of your whole neighbourhood. Do all in your power to advance the breed among the farmers so as to raise two fowls where but one grew before, then the honest breeder deserves to be classed as a benefactor to the poultry fraternity ; and last, follow the advice of this article ; you cannot but succeed. Do unto others as you would wish to be done by, and do it well.