PROGRESSIVE POULTRY CULTURE 285 



The poultry industry readily lends itself to specializa- 

 tion. 



While it may not be advisable to specialize too close- 

 ly in this occupation it is oftimes desirable to have 

 one or two leading lines of production and manage the 

 business so that everything shall contribute to the greatest 

 success and profit of these specialties. 



This plan may be undertaken after the poultryman 

 by study and considerable practice, has acquired skill 

 in general poultry management and has determined by 

 experience what particular lines of poultry keeping are 

 most promising of profit under his conditions. 



By the concentration of means and effort upon the 

 production of one or two specialties there should result 

 great improvement in quality and increase in quantity 

 of production. 



An especially fine product offered in considerable 

 quantity and supplied regularly will usually insure 

 prompt sales at remunerative prices. 



AN EGG FARM 



A favorite specialty of poultry keepers is egg pro- 

 duction for market. 



In a locality where the climatic conditions and ab- 

 sence of enemies permit the fowls to live on free range 

 throughout the year, the colony plan of management may 

 be followed. If the poultryman prefers not to raise 

 his laying stock he can purchase well grown pullets 

 each fall. These may be disposed of alive or as dressed 

 fowl at the end of the laying season or before next 

 year's supply of pullets is purchased. Another plan is 

 to keep the fowls through two .laying seasons, purchas- 

 ing pullets yearly for the renewal of half the flocks. 



The egg-producers are kept, without male birds, in 

 flocks of thirty to sixty head in portable houses. 



A horse or pair of horses and wagon are used in 

 carrying feed supplies, collecting eggs, etc. 



The labor expense in caring for the scattered flocks 

 is somewhat large but if drinking water is constantly 



