428 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc 



large flocks, but these have nothing to do with the number 

 of eggs produced. It is true that the greater number of 

 poultry keepers get better egg yields from small flocks than 

 from larger ones ; it is also true that some poultrymen get 

 as good egg yields from large flocks as are obtained from 

 small ones, except in very exceptional cases. What in- 

 vestigations and observations I have been able to make have 

 convinced me that the general reason for poor results from 

 large flocks is underfeeding. Certain it is that all those I 

 know (altogether there are a good many of them) who get 

 good results from large flocks are liberal feeders, — almost 

 extravagantly liberal, quite a number of them keeping food 

 by the hens all the time. 



Much less time is required to care for 200 hens in two 

 flocks of 100 each than to care for the same number in 

 flocks of 12 to 30 each. One of the most successful small 

 poultry farmers I know keeps 600 to 700 hens in flocks of 

 about 100 each, each lot occupying its own house, but all 

 running in the same field. One of the men who is most 

 successful in getting winter eggs keeps as high as 500 hens 

 in a single flock, and in the same house. Such facts as 

 these effectually disprove the theory that there is something 

 in the nature of the hen which prevents good egg produc- 

 tion from large flocks, and puts the responsibility where it 

 belongs, — with the keeper. He must learn to get eggs 

 from the large flocks if he wishes to work to best advantage. 

 It is simply a question of feeding the large flock right, — 

 of seeing that they get enough to eat. 



Close confinement is irksome to most fowls. They fret 

 under it, because their movements are too restricted. Hence 

 fowls in close confinement, in small yards, require a great 

 deal of attention, with special provision to keep them oc- 

 cupied and busy. Give the same fowls room enough, so 

 that the restraints placed on them are not oppressive, and 

 they are contented, keep healthy, and produce well without 

 so much attention from the keeper. 



An objection often made to large yards is the cost of 

 fencing. This objection loses much of its force when 

 applied to large flocks and large yards, for the larger the 



