CHAPTER XXI 



POULTRY 



Types of poultry. 

 Breeds of chickens. 



Egg breeds. 



General-purpose breeds. 



Meat breeds. 

 Poultry houses. 

 Natural incubation. 

 Natural brooding. 

 Artificial incubation. 

 Artificial brooding. 

 Feeding for egg production. 

 Feeding for meat production. 



THE importance of poultry can scarcely be realized. Six 

 hundred million dollars are brought annually to the farmers 

 of the United States for eggs alone, and there is a similar pro- 

 portion in Canada. Much of this revenue goes to the large 

 poultry-raising establishments, but a very considerable part 

 of it also goes to those farmers that keep only a few hens as 

 an incident of their business. There is no live-stock so well 

 adapted to so many farm conditions as is poultry. There is 

 also special fascination in the rearing of fowls. Young people 

 are particularly interested in it, and all the products are wanted 

 on the table or find a ready demand in the market. The Boys' 

 and Girls' Poultry Clubs have been a great incentive to poultry 

 raising. In many of the states the federal or state government 

 pays an expert poultry-man to devote all of his time to the 

 furthering of this work. The county agent will tell you how 

 to reach him. There is a very attractive popular literature on 

 poultry raising. 



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