Poultry Keeping for Egg Production* 



Wm. p. Brooks, Director. 



It is the design in this bulletin to present briefly what are regarded 

 as the leading essentials for success in poultry keeping for eggs. In 

 its preparation, not only our own, but outside sources of information 

 as well will be freely drawn upon, with due acknowledgment in all 

 cases. The experiments summarized have extended over a period of 

 thirteen years, and have been under the general oversight of the 

 writer as the head of the agricultural department of the station.* 



The proportion of the citizens of Massachusetts directly interested 

 in poultry keeping is large — greater, no doubt, than the proportion 

 engaged in any other single agricultural industry. The principal 

 reasons are that the amount of land required is relatively small, the 

 necessary investment moderate and the labor comparatively light, 

 while it is supposed that a modicum of knowledge will suffice. In 

 the popular estimate, " anyone knows enough to successfully manage 

 a few hens." Nevertheless, the ruins of poultry plants — large and 

 small — so frequently met with make it apparent that disappointment 

 has frequently been the lot of once enthusiastic and hopeful novices. 

 It is so easy and costs so little to engage in poultry keeping that it 

 is not strange that many who are unfitted to succeed undertake it. 



We have in the state all the necessary conditions for success. The 

 winters, it is true, are long, and the costs of caring for fowls there- 

 fore somewhat greater than in a more genial climate ; but, on the 

 other hand, our markets are probably the best in the world — cer- 

 tainly they are unsurpassed in the United States. The home product 

 falls far short of meeting the demand. Mr. A. F, Hunter, in a letter 



* The immediate responsibility for the execution of the work has been carried suc- 

 cessively by the different assistants in the department. Special acknowledgments are due 

 to these men, all of whom are graduates of the College. Not only have they faithfully looked 

 after the work ; their suggestions and advice have been valuable. The writer takes pleasure 

 in naming them in the order of their service: H.M.Thomson, F. K. Church, S. B. Has- 

 kell, and E. F. Gaskill. To Messrs. Haskell and Gaskill, special acknowledgment is due 

 also for assistance in bringing results together in preparation for publication. 



