POULTRY RAISING CHICKENS 27T 



make frequent sales of flesh in the shape of surplus cockerels and hens, the 

 carcass as well as egg production should be considered, however, it is generally 

 agreed that the egg is of more value commercially than the meat. One of the 

 general purpose breeds is best for the farmer because he usually desires both 

 meat and eggs. 



Egg Breeds. Egg breeds are of small or medium size, have large combs 

 and wattles, very active, ranging through the fields when given their liberty, 

 quick to mature and needing good houses in cold weather, more than the larger 

 breeds. They fatten slowly. The hens often begin laying when but four 

 and one-half months old and when matured produce an abundance of large, 

 white-shelled eggs. They are usually non-setters or at best but poor setters, 

 and rather poor mothers. It is usually necessary to keep a few fowls of 

 some other breed to keep up the stock if natural methods of incubation are 

 employed. Their pure white eggs are valuable for the market. 



Meat Breeds. Meat breeds are large in body and especially suitable for 

 the production of large males. They are domestic, slow and sluggish of 

 movement, with little desire for foraging, easily confined by low fences, quite 

 slow to mature, and will readily take on weight when liberally fed. The hens 

 are persistent setters and rather indifferent layers of large, brown-shelled eggs. 

 This is the kind to handle if meat production for the market is desired. 



Ornamental Breeds. Ornamental breeds as a rule are not as well adapted 

 for farm purposes as the breeds of the other three classes, as they are not 

 highly esteemed for eggs or meat. 



Strain More Important Than Breed. Too much importance must not be 

 attached to the breed, for the breed is not as important as the particular strain. 

 The tendencies of a certain class can be changed by proper breeding. One 

 should breed for the particular result wanted. For instance, a meat breed 

 can be made to increase its laying by proper lineage and careful attention. 



Pure Bred Stock Best. Best results are obtained from pure bred stock 

 for that means a uniformity of products. Pure bred fowls will make a greater 

 profit than mongrels if given the same care and proper marketing is done. 

 You should get stock from some one who has developed a strain bred to lay 

 if it is eggs you want and a strain bred for meat if you desire to market your 

 fowls as a main issue. The average poultryman is not usually very interested 

 in the ornamental points, but the time seems to be coming when utility and 

 fancy will be represented in the same fowls. Utility breeders are taking more 

 interest in fancy points and fancy poultry breeders are taking greater pains in 

 breeding laying strains. 



Poultry Houses and Fixtures. 



Location. Drainage and Southern Exposure. Select an elevation with 

 natural drainage away from the building. A gentle slope facing the south 

 is most suitable. Other things being equal, this will be warmer and dryei 

 If a southern exposure cannot be obtained, a southeastern is preferable 1 

 southwestern. Fowls prefer the morning to the afternoon sun. 



Soil. A dry, porous soil such as sandy or gravelly loam is preferabl 



