No. 4.] FARM POULTRY. 407 



starve them to make them hunt for food. If possible, 

 spread them out over the farm so that they can get what 

 grass they need, and some insects, without running about 

 nmch ; then either feed them often, or keep food standing 

 before tliem. 



The farm-grown chick ought to make the very best of poul- 

 try ; but the ordinary farm-raised chick does not. A^early 

 all of those who grow poultry on farms think theu* poultry 

 is as fine as fine can be ; but the conmion farm chicken does 

 not compare in quality with the finest poultry in our markets, 

 because it is not so well fed and quick-grown, and runs about 

 so much that it earl}^ becomes quite hard-meated. Rapidity 

 of growth means as much in the ({uality of a fowl as it does 

 in the qualit}^ of a vegetable like the beet ; and to make 

 quick gro^ssth there must be food in abundance, and must 

 not be too much exercise. Exercise is a good thing. 

 Enough of it to keep the system in good condition is neces- 

 sary ; more is too much of a good thing. 



To attempt to economize on cost of growing chicks by 

 keeping them on just about a maintenance ration is not good 

 policy. The quicker you can get the cockerels ready for 

 market the more you will save in labor, — and in feed too, — 

 and the better will be your returns Avhen you sell them. 

 The earlier you can bring the pullets to a well-developed 

 maturity, the better will be your prospects of eggs when 

 eggs are highest. 



Don't keep either moulting hens or growing chicks on short 

 rations, because they are not adding anything to the current 

 income . Feed to bri ng them into earning condition as soon as 

 possible, and to secm^e the best possible development of their 

 qualities. If you happen to have more stock on hand than 

 you can feed, while it is not earning, as it should be fed, 

 cut it down to what you can carry, and you will be better 

 off in the long- run. It is a great deal better to have a small 

 flock earning something, be it ever so little, in the early win- 

 ter, than to have a large flock that was only half fed through 

 the fall runnino- behind until it takes the most of the next 

 season to catch up. To feed to satisfy all the requirements 

 of the fowl is in the end the most inexpensive way. 



