254 Farm Poultry 



Dry, sandy or gravelly soils are specially prized 

 for broiler rearing. Cleanliness and freedom from 

 moisture are requisites to success. These con- 

 ditions are more easily maintained on light, po- 

 rous soils than on heavy ones. Keep the chickens 

 dry and clean and give them plenty of wholesome, 

 easily digested food. Corn meal, wheat bran, 

 ground oats with the hulls removed, and hard- 

 boiled eggs may make the bulk of the ration. These 

 should be fed after thoroughly soaking or scalding. 

 Some meat food and some green food should not 

 be neglected. Baked foods are recommended and 

 are undoubtedly safe. For further discussion of 

 foods, see chapter on feeding little chickens (Chap- 

 ter XI). Those who make a study of the foods used 

 by successful poultry-raisers soon learn that there is 

 no best food, but many foods are excellent if fed 

 with judgment. 



Various breeds of fowls are used for broilers, one 

 of the favorites being the Wyandotte. Many prefer 

 to use crosses, on account of the vigor and hardiness of 

 the chicks. Heavy breeds are usually crossed on 

 the smaller, quick-maturing ones. These crosses 

 have suitable size and they mature early. 



Broiler-rearing and egg production go well 

 together. Experienced broiler raisers who have a 

 good knowledge of the business are able to produce 

 eggs that will give better and more uniform lots of 

 chickens than those that are purchased from farmers 



