316 FARM ANIMALS 



other coops of the same size the gains were con- 

 siderably less than in houses and yards. The 

 results were in harmony with the belief and prac- 

 tice of the average poultryman and farmer, who 

 raises poultry as a side line, to the effect that small 

 coops in fattening fowls are not necessary to secure 

 the finest market condition. In fact, most fowls 

 appear to make greater gains and at least show 

 greater economy in feeding when given some liberty. 



With regard to the amount of exercise which 

 is necessary for fowls it is useless to argue the 

 matter if all fowls are lumped together, for some 

 fowls appear to require more exercise than others. 

 In the case of birds which are naturally lazy it is 

 often desirable to feed them in such a manner that 

 they are forced to scratch in order to obtain the 

 grain. In a comparative test which was carried 

 out in Utah the Leghorn stood enforced idleness 

 better than other breeds but the effect of too close 

 confinement was disastrous to the egg laying of 

 all breeds. The only safe conclusion in this 

 matter is that no exercise is decidedly bad. It is 

 not necessary, however, to go to the opposite 

 extreme since the best results of all have been 

 obtained where a moderate amount of freedom or 

 exercise is obtained. We have obviously the same 

 problem with chickens as with other farm animals 

 and the results obtained from experiments are 

 largely in harmony throughout the whole series. 

 Hens which have a free range and proper feed 

 usually give better results in egg laying and in the 

 fertility of the eggs than those which are too closely 

 confined. 



Marketing Poultry. While the average farmer 

 and poultryman can generally figure out that he 

 makes a profit from his hens, it should be stated 



