124 Farm Poultry 



the feathers of the various parts of the body, but 

 as this method necessitates the handling of each 

 bird several times during the season most farmers 

 will prefer to have the fowls use the dust bath. 

 If an insecticide, as powdered sulfur or insect 

 powder, is used, it should be dusted through the 

 feathers next to the skin, preferably in the even- 

 ing when the fowls are quiet and on the perches, 

 in order that the material may remain in the 

 feathers for several hours. 



Yards and parks. The question of confining 

 fowls is perhaps somewhat undecided in the 

 minds of many farmers. Because the fowls of 

 a comparatively small flock, when given their 

 liberty or the run of the farm, thrive well and 

 produce many eggs with very little attention on 

 the part of the owner, it should not be inferred 

 that large flocks will prove equally satisfactory 

 under similar conditions. While a few fowls 

 may be given the run of the farm without caus- 

 ing very much annoyance, large flocks would be 

 objectionable for many reasons. 



Each individual must decide for himself whether 

 he will permit his fowls to have the run of the 

 farm or whether he will confine them in pens or 

 yards. Generally speaking, it is far better to 

 confine the fowls within suitable inclosures. The 

 owner then has control of the conditions and is 

 more nearly master of the situation than it is 



