SUCCESSFUL POULTRY EXPERIMENT AT RED CROSS HOSPITAL.
[To THE EDITOR or THE " SPECTATOR."] STE,—Having read in a daily paper last April that it was the ditty of every householder to keep at least six hens, I determined to try the experiment. A kind neighbour offered the loan of a hen house, a roll of wire netting was found on the place, and the local carpenter with the aid of some of the patients put up a run at the cost of a few shillings. The run measures seventeen feet by seven feet, height six feet. The hens (six) were given by members of our V.A.D. detachment, and so we started. A friend very kindly gave a sitting of white Wyandotte eggs, and from these ten chickens were raised. The cockerels were killed off when ready for the table, the five pullets were kept, and share the house and run with the six hens. For the first mouth or two the hens mere kept entirely on kitchen scraps, and any green food available; later a little corn-sharps and grit were added to the daily menu. Their food bill comes to about 3s. 6d. per month. As they have laid over 890 eggs in the eleven months, you will eve how remunerative they are. Tho total for the year should be well over 1,000, as now they are laying on an average seven or sight a day. One of the patients is in sole charge of the poultry, feeds them, keeps the house and run clean, has the keys and collects the eggs, and when he leaves appoints his successor. Even in 'a small ho.pital like this there is usually a poultry expert among the patients, who is only too pleased to indulge in his favourite hobby.—I am, Sir, &c., M. L. WHITEHEAD, Commandant.
Bed Cross Hospital, Escrick.
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