典藏书目

Mencius said, "In raising poultry and swine, do not miss their breeding seasons." Taking this as the beginning of practicing the Kingly Way, one knows that the way of husbandry is indeed a major aspect of health preservation and a primary task in dietetics. Moreover, oxen are utilized for plowing, and horses for warfare; these are matters that those who govern states and families ought to understand. In ancient times, Tao Zhu Gong (Fan Li) became wealthy by raising five types of livestock, proving that husbandry cannot be without method. Here, I have compiled the most essential points into one article, which also serves as an aid to health preservation.

[Method of Raising Chickens] In February, plow one or two mu of land first, allowing it to become fertile. Sprinkle sorghum porridge on it and cover it with straw so that insects will naturally grow. Build walls around the perimeter, about one zhang high, covering the top with thorns. Construct a path wall in the middle to divide the ground equally. Build several sheds on each side, hanging baskets under the eaves where chickens can roost and incubate eggs inside. Drive insects from the left side to the right; once the insects on the right are consumed, feed them again. Once the insects on the right are exhausted, drive them back to the left.

[Prescription for Continuous Egg Laying] After hens lay eggs, mix sesame seeds into their feed so they lay continuously without brooding. For newly arrived chicks that refuse to walk, wash their feet with clear water initially, and they will not wander off when released.

[Method for Obtaining Male Chicks] In households without roosters, after hens finish laying eggs, take the eggs to the stove front and say: "Eggs lack a rooster, please ask the Kitchen God to find one." Then rub the egg against the soot on the chimney flue for about one finger's width and store it. The hatched chicks will all be black males, verified many times. If an iron axe is placed where the hen is incubating eggs, all hatched chicks will be roosters. The best time for hens to incubate chicks is December, followed by January. If the timing is correct, they grow up well; those hatching after the middle of January often fail to survive. Eggs laid in the morning tend to be male, those in the evening female, and those at noon are also male.

[Method to Fatten Stabled Chickens] Mix sesame oil with flour, roll into pieces the size of fingertips, and feed dozens daily. Also, mix half a qian of powdered native sulfur with rice feed. Within a few days, the chicken will fatten. It must be stabled and prevented from moving.

[Neutered Chicken] Known in contemporary times as "Thread Chicken." The anus is sewn with thread, keeping it close to its owner constantly.

[Chicken Crowing at Zi and Wu Hours] A crowing at dusk indicates heavenly grace and joyful events. However, crowing in the deeper watches is inauspicious. Crowning during the second watch, near Zi hour, occurs as Yang energy begins to move and resonates with sound and qi; this is harmless. A hen crowing like a rooster is also inauspicious. The *I Ching* says: "When the hen crows at dawn, the family declines." This means if women usurp men's authority, the family will surely not prosper.

[Silk-Feathered Chicken] If the tongue is black, the bones are black; if the tongue is not black, only the flesh is black. Do not remove the internal organs before use as medicine.

[Inverted Wing Chicken] For chicks whose wings have not yet developed, beat them with a broom so that the wing feathers grow inverted.

[Bamboo Chicken Avoids Ants] Small wild jungle fowl are called Bamboo Chickens. Raising them repels bedbugs and termites; hearing their sound makes shadows disappear.

[Asthmatic Chicken] If a chicken asthmatic due to spicy and salty food, administer mouse feces mixed with sesame oil to cure it. Alternatively, feed winter melon leaves to resolve toxicity. For any chicken illness, administering sesame oil cures it. For plague-like chicken disease, feed finely chopped pork. Another method: feed rice mixed with realgar to cure it.

[Dried Rooster Droppings Treating Yin Syndrome] For painful distension caused by Yin syndrome with cold limbs, if no medicine is available urgently, take dried rooster droppings, stir-fry them in an iron wok until extremely charred, decoct with strong wine, boil for more than ten cycles, filter the clear wine through silk cloth, and drink it warm while hot. Take appropriate amounts; pain stops immediately, and hands and feet gradually warm. This is because rooster droppings are hot in nature and can restore Yang.

[Chicken Gizzard Membrane] This is the yellow skin inside the chicken stomach. It can cure various scabies, promote tissue regeneration, and close wounds, having great miraculous effects. People often ignore it and do not collect it. If collected and used for scabies patients, it is superior to frankincense, myrrh, and catechu.

[Method of Raising Geese and Ducks] Geese and ducks suitable for breeding should be those that have undergone winter storage and subsequent incubation. The ratio is generally three females to one male for geese, and five females to one male for ducks. Incubation lasts one month. When hatching, avoid noise and vibration for four to five days. Ten large geese or twenty large ducks, fewer for smaller ones.

[Evaluating Geese and Ducks] For mother geese and ducks, the head should be small. If there are small pearls on the upper beak, five indicate prolific egg-laying, two are secondary. Feed geese and ducks with a small amount of raw sulfur mixed with rice to make them very fat.

[Method to Fatten Stabled Geese] Build a small house to place the goose inside, allowing only the head to protrude, preventing it from turning around. Cook rice thoroughly and let it eat until full without stopping. It will stop eating when fat. Wheat and barley must also be cooked thoroughly without adding water.

[Pigeons Repel Evil] When raising pigeons, orient the nest towards the southeast for prosperity. Soak rice in saltwater and feed it so they do not stray to other homes. Dried pigeons can also treat Yin syndrome cold damage, using the same method as rooster droppings.

[Cranes Repel Evil and Bring Auspiciousness] Raising cranes requires gardens, pavilions, and trees. They roost underneath at night, absorbing the pure qi of wind and dew, resulting in bright voices and willingness to sing. The poem says: "A crying crane in the shade, its young answer it; I have fine wine, I share it with you." Do not approach cranes closely; they love fish and may peck human eyes. If a crane is sick, feeding it mouse feces cures it.

[Swallow Nests] Indicate family prosperity. The proverb says: "Long swallow nests bring good fortune." Dirty swallow nests indicate excessive weeds in fields.

[Magpie Nests] Magpies building nests on trees in front of houses indicate auspiciousness. Low nests predict floods; high nests predict drought.

[Magpie Chatter] Continuous chatter predicts the arrival of distant guests and joyful events. Thus, it is said magpies know the future but not the past.

[Raising Deer] Feeding peas regularly prevents illness. If deer are sick, feed bean meal mixed with salt to cure. Deer tail blood: for children suffering from smallpox or chickenpox that fails to erupt, prick a live deer's tail, collect a little blood, mix it in hot wine, and give it to the child to drink to induce eruption.

[Raising Horses] Horses dislike dampness and prefer high ground. In mid-spring, allow mating to follow their nature; in late spring, administer medicine. In mid-summer, immerse them in water. Boar fat and dog bile, boiled into porridge and fed, will fatten them. Feed quality material: cut fresh grass finely, ensure grains and beans are clean. If feeding hot rations, rinse with cold water first before mixing. Stir fodder three or four times per night. Watering has three times: morning drinking should be sparing; daytime drinking moderate; evening drinking unrestricted. Always use fresh water; never stagnant or unclean water. In winter, ride mules after drinking; careless watering causes illness. In summer sweating and severe winter cold, both require moderated drinking. Removing the saddle must avoid facing the wind. Observe the mouth color every morning and evening to determine heat or cold conditions.