20 POULTRY-CRAFT. 



the start furnish the quickest, surest, most evenly distributed returns ; while in 

 other localities it will be better to make such a combination as the demands 

 of the market, the amount of capital on hand, and the skill of the poultryman 

 allow. At least a slight general acquaintance with the whole subject of 

 poultry keeping is necessary before one can decide what to do and what not 

 to do in any given case. 



23. Situation. General Remarks. Though certain surroundings are 

 more agreeable to fowls than others, and under favoring conditions they are 

 handled at least cost for food and labor, there is nothing in the nature of 

 domestic fowls to prevent their being thrifty and profitable in circumstances 

 quite the reverse of those most agreeable. Indeed, it is coming to be well 

 understood that, within reasonable limits, restraints on the natural tendencies 

 of fowls are beneficial. Like all domestic animals, they can be accustomed 

 to great changes of habit, as well as of climate. The breeds of fowls differ 

 somewhat in adaptability to artificial conditions ; but as a rule the welfare of 

 the fowls depends more on the poultryman than on the nature of fowls or 

 of their surroundings. Farms and large village lots furnish the best 

 opportunities for poultry keeping. Fowls can be kept and, even, a few 

 thrifty young reared on narrow city lots sometimes in very close quarters. 

 It has often been said that fowls can be kept wherever human beings can live. 

 While not literally true, this statement is not far wrong if its application is 

 limited to fowls kept for pleasure. Whether fowls are kept for pleasure or 

 profit, successful management consists in rightly balancing natural and 

 artificial conditions, providing by art those things in which the situation is 

 deficient, or when that is not possible, devising ways of compensating for 

 nature's defects. Just here is where it is found that ways of caring for fowls 

 for best results differ in different localities and situations. The needs of 

 fowls do not vary ; the resources of places do. In different places poultry 

 keepers have to do different things to supply the same needs. This is all 

 there is in the oft-repeated assertions that fowls cannot be handled in the west 

 as in the east, in the south as in the north, in mountain countries as at the 

 sea level. The poultryman in unusual circumstances must study his sur- 

 roundings and their effects upon fowls, and vary treatment as he finds nature 

 doing more or less in any direction; and he ought always to follow the 

 general rules for caring for fowls under ordinary conditions, until by careful 

 study of his situation he sees reason for making change in treatment or diet. 

 He should not do extraordinary things without knowing 'why he does them. 

 Unusual circumstances demand thoughtfulness and prudence, not eccentricity. 

 The poultry keeper for pleasure can go as far as he likes in making good the 

 natural defects of a site. One in business for profit needs the advantage of 

 a situation with few defects. It is folly to undertake keeping fowls for profit 

 on a site where the " outs'* are so many that the making of a living is 

 rendered unnecessarily laborious. 



