7Z2 



Rural School Leaflet 



POULTRY LESSONS 



A flock of miscellaneous colors and types sjich as is often found 

 on the average farm. Cockerels of this sort are of no value 

 as breeders and are poor ornaments 



i. improving the quality of poultry 



James E. Rice 



We should aim to retain purity of breed and vigor of our stock, and to 

 have high-grade market quaHty in our poultry and eggs. By so doing, 



the profits may be 

 greatly increased and 

 the losses reduced 

 because the selling 

 value of the product 

 will be increased. 

 We shall also get 

 more pleasure and 

 satisfaction out of 

 our occupation be- 

 cause we shall take 

 pride in the improve- 

 ment made. The 

 difference in price between poultry and eggs that are attractive and 

 those that are unattractive is enough to warrant great care in breeding for 

 improved quality. 



Some of the reasons why pure-bred poultry is more desirable than 

 common stock are : i . Pure-bred fowls lay eggs that are more uniform in 

 size, shape, color, and texture of shell. Uniform eggs sell for a higher 

 price. 2. They are more likely to breed true, that is, the chickens will 

 grow up to be like their parents. 3. They are more uniform in shape and 

 size of body and in color of skin and shanks, therefore more attractive 

 and more profitable when placed on sale. 4. They are more attractive as 

 a flock, because they are similar in appearance. It is worth while to 

 keep poultry that 

 looks well. 5. They 

 furnish a larger in- 

 come because eggs 

 for hatching and 

 stock for breeding 

 can be sold at prices 

 considerably higher 

 than for market pur- 

 poses. 6. They are 

 more satisfactory, be 



A flock of pure-bred Barred Plymouth Rocks. Note the beauty 

 of a flock like this as compared with a flock of mixed breeds 



cause, other things being equal, they may be expected to give better 

 results in feeding, hatching, and rearing, due to the fact that 



