58 Farm Poultry 



along more than one line of production. They 

 look not only for a fairly good egg production, but 

 also for a body of considerable size that will fur- 

 nish a good quantity of meat of first-class quality 

 for table use. Both eggs and meat are of the high- 

 est importance for the practical farmer, for upon 

 his poultry he depends to a greater extent than 

 he himself is aware. The quality of the meat, as 

 well as its quantity, is to be considered. Not only 

 does the farmer demand meat when the fowls are 

 mature, but the meat of fowls of all ages after the 

 young reach the broiler stage must be of good 

 quality. It is vitally important, also, that the fowls 

 produce the greatest quantity and best quality of 

 meat from the food consumed; for some fowls eat 

 much and produce relatively little. Good layers 

 also are required, especially during the winter 

 months. Steady winter layers are demanded by 

 the farmer quite as much as by the poultryman 

 whose business it is to produce eggs for the market. 

 Most farmers do not expect to consume all the 

 product of the poultry-yard at home. If eggs are 

 produced in good numbers during the cold weather, 

 a high price is usually realized for them. A greater 

 price is realized from winter eggs than from those 

 produced during the spring and summer months 

 when fowls lay most abundantly. It is also desired 

 that the farm hen should become " broody/ 7 incubate 

 and prove a good mother for her young. Many 



