POULTRY (Fr. poole, a lien), a collective name for useful domesticated birds. It is sometimes limited to the domesticated gallinaceous birds, hut ordinary use includes all the birds reared for economical purposes. These belong exclusively-to two orders of birds, the gallinaceous and palmiped; the common fowl, pea-fowl, Guinea-fowl, turkey, gran, and pigeon belonging to the former; and the different kinds of duck and goose, as well as the swan, to the latter. For what relates to the different species and their vari eties, we refer to these heads; devoting this article to some general remarks as to the management of poultry.
In general, the rearing of poultry is regarded as a very subordinate branch of rural economy, and it is pursued chiefly where agriculture is in a somewhat primitive state, the skillful and enterprising farmer deeming it beneath his attention, or finding that he has not time to attend to it, and often looking on the feathered inmates of his farm-yard almost as a nuisance because of their invasions of his fields. It may pretty safely be. asserted that there is no good reason for this, and that poultry properly cared for would always be found a source of profit. The farm-yard affords great advantages for the keep ing of poultry, and the increasing demand of the market promises a sure return. In some parts of Britain and in Ireland, where the farms are small,. poultry are very exten sively kept by farmers and cottagers; but the n. of France and Pomerania exceed all other parts of Europe in poultry-keeping, which there is not the leading object of husbandry, and the traffic in the products of the poultry-yard is on a truly great scale.
There is very commonly no building erected for the special accommodation of poul try; but perches and places for nests are provided for them in a cow-house or sonic other farm-building; or, in very many cases, when kept by cottagers, they roost on joists of the roof, within the door of the cottage itself. In such eases, they roam at liberty during the whole day, and find much of their food in the fields and on the road sides, although the feeding of them with corn and other food is not neglected by the careful housewife. But it is often undesirable, for the sake of fields or gardens, that so much liberty should be allowed to poultry, and they may be very advantageously kept either wholly or mostly in confinement. If circumstances permit, it is good for them to be let out for an hour or two daily into a grass field, but it is not necessary if they are pro vided with a warm, clean, and well-ventilated house, to which a spacious open court is attached, and are regularly supplied with abundance of food, water, sand, or fine ashes, lime, and small stones, all requisites to their healthful existence. The food must also
be of various kinds. Poultry must have supplies of grain or pulse, and of soft food made of the meal of grain or pulse; the kind may depend upon convenience and cheap ness; and instead of such food, boiled potatoes may to some extent he used. Bran is a very good article of food for poultry. But the same food, without variation, should not be given for any considerable time. And it is indispensable that all kinds of poultry be frequently, if not even daily, supplied with green food, as blades of kale, cabbage, cauliflower, turnips, etc.-, or lettuces. tresses, chickweed, sow-thistle, etc. It is pretty safe to observe the. kinds which they like, and to allow them to choose for themselves. When they have no opportunity of seeking worms, snails, slugs, and insects for them selves, animal food must be given, and the refuse of the kitchen cannot be more profit ably employed. It is possible at some seasons to give too much food, making the poul try too fat, and diminishing the production of eggs; but ht other times, as during the season of molting, food cannot be given too plentifully. "Water must at all times be abundantly supplied.
Poultry-houses may be built of any, material that is most convenient; but warmth cannot be too much regarded. A poultry-house of 4 ft. square should have a yard at least 8 ft. by 4. The yard is inclosed by wire-netting. The floor of the house, made of clay or other material, ought to be so firm and hard as to admit of its being easily swept, and, this should be often done. The house is provided with roosting places on the ground or above it, according to the kind of poultry, and with nests for laying in. ought to be conducted in a separate place. The court should be furnished with a " lean-to" shed on one side, under which the birds may find shelter from sun or rain, and here they should find sand or fine ashes to fling over themselves, according to their manner, to rid themselves of insect tormentors. Lime is also necessary for them, large quantities of it being used to make egg-shells, besides what the animal system otherwise requires. It maybe very conveniently supplied in the form of lime rubbish from old walls, in which also occur in abundance such small stones as birds need in order to the trituration of the food in their gizzard.