SELECTING A BREED 



the top. Pullets or yearling hens usually make the 

 best investment for the beginner, because a hen 

 that is two or more years old when bought usually 

 cannot profitably be kept in service longer than 

 one more season. 



The best time to buy fowls is in the fall. Stock 

 can be purchased for less money at this time than 

 at any other, and the early buyer gets the selection. 

 After the first of June in each year there are many 

 opportunities to buy at very low prices some of the 

 stock which breeders have used in their breeding 

 pens, because they must make room for the crop 

 of youngsters coming on. Most of these young 

 birds will also be offered for sale after September 

 first, ranging from four to six months in age at that 

 time; they, too, are quite desirable, and if one is 

 prepared to winter them properly, he will find that 

 his stock will have almost doubled in value by 

 spring. 



Not only will you get the greatest value for 

 your money in the fall, but you will also have 

 the time and opportunity to study your fowls, to 

 learn their individual characteristics and peculiari- 

 ties and to learn how best to feed and manage them, 

 so that you may be sure everything will be in 

 smooth working order by the time eggs are desired 

 for hatching. It always requires some time for 

 fowls to become accustomed to new surroundings 

 and a new feeding system and rations, and for this 



in 



