FIFTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART VI. 405 



POULTIIY. 



POULTRY RAISING ON THE FARM. 



Farmers'' BuHetJJi, No. Ml, U. S. Department of Ag^riculiure, 



INTRODUCTORY. 



The barnyard fowls are regarded by most farmers as a very insignificant 

 part of their live stock; and yet, although so often neglected and forced to shift 

 for themselves, the poultry and egg crop constitutes in the aggregate one of 

 the most important and valuable products of American agriculture. The con- 

 ditions in this country are such that the poultry industry is capable of indefi- 

 nite expansion, and therefore able to meet any demands that may be made 

 upon it either by home or foreign markets. 



Importance of high-grade product . — In order to secure a larger consump- 

 tion of poultry products per capita in the United States, it is of prime im- 

 portance that there should always be an abundant supply of strictly fresh 

 eggs and of the best grades of table poultry. This condition is also a nec- 

 essary factor in the development of the export trade. When the markets 

 are filled with eggs which have lost their quality and flavor by long keeping, 

 and many of which have acquired an offensive taste; when the broilers and 

 roasters offered to the consumer are thin, tasteless, tough and altogether 

 unfit for the table— it is not surprising that they are passed by, and beef, 

 mutton, or pork taken in their stead. So, also, when the exporter is buy- 

 ing for consignment to foreign markets he must be able to find at all times a 

 good article of eggs or poultry in sufficient quantity or he can not continue 

 his trade. 



Possibility of increased consumption.— Kvl increased supply of poultry pro- 

 ducts of the highest class would unquestionable lead to an increased con- 

 sumption. There is no more staple and popular article of food, and conse- 

 quently we may confidently expect and demand to develop in proportion to 

 the increase of our population and to the care and intelligence with which 

 the markets are supplied. 



Increase of product . — There is no stock on the farm that yields a better 

 relative return to the food consumed than do the hens, and consequently it 

 is worth while to consider in what manner their product may be increased 

 without disproportionately increasing expenses. The fowls must have com- 

 fortable and healthy quarters, they must have proper food and nesting facil- 

 ities, but it is not at all necessary that there should be extravagant expendi- 

 tures in supplying these. 



THE KIND OF FOWLS TO KEEP. 



The kind of chickens to keep upon a farm depends upon almost as much 

 upon the kind of a man who manages them as upon any other condition. 

 There are no birds which stand neglect better than the common, mongrel 

 barnyard fowls, for these have lived and developed under unfavorable con- 



