28 POULTRY FARMING 



There are not only the various specialties outlined here, but 

 many other branches, as the keeping of ducks, geese, turkeys, and 

 wild game. The broiler-duck business, for instance, is one of the 

 largest and most profitable branches of poultry keeping. 



The advantages of poultry keeping are many. The amount 

 of land and capital required is not great. There are a great variety 

 of products. These are easy to market. The money invested 

 brings quick returns. The business is suited to persons of either 

 sex. Land is made more fertile. Poultry utilize waste products. 



Land and Capital Required. It is safe to say that in no other 

 branch of animal industry is there so little need of an extended 

 outlay in land and capital to make a successful start as in poultry 

 keeping. The investment in land is least for those birds which 

 are not of a roving nature, as ducks and heavy fowls. With turkeys, 

 and some other classes which by nature are wild, more land is 

 required. They do not thrive so well in close confinement. Five 

 acres will amply accommodate one thousand laying hens and pro- 

 vide room for the rearing of the young stock to replace the old 

 ones. Experiments show that less land is required than was for- 

 merly supposed. When many birds are kept on a small area the cul- 

 tivation and sanitation must be more thorough. If scarcity of land 

 is not a difficulty to be met, then the most economical method is to 

 allow free range. If the feed is to be grown at home, much more 

 land is required, about an acre for every one hundred birds. 

 Growing chicks require much more range than adult birds. An 

 abundance of park room or large runs should be allowed the young 

 pullets and cockerels. Fattening fowls require very little room; 

 it is desirable to keep them closely confined during the finishing 

 period, as a much greater gain in weight is secured by so doing. 



The first question usually asked by a person starting out in 

 any business is, " How much will it cost? " Unlike most other 

 ventures, the poultry business may be started in a small way with 

 very little capital. When starting in egg production for market 

 purposes, the first cost for stock is very small; but if starting into 

 the breeding of fancy or show birds, this item is much greater. 

 A modest beginning is best. This can later be extended and more 

 and newer equipment can be purchased as the business grows. The 

 small flock on the average farm will thrive with little scientific 

 care. As the numbers are increased there is a greater chance for 

 disease and a greater need of careful and systematic attention to 

 detail of management, which can come only from experience. 



