PRODUCTIVE 

 POULTRY HUSBANDRY. 



INTRODUCTION. 



THE TEACHING OF POULTRY HUSBANDRY. 



THE DEMAND for the teaching of poultry husbandry in the 

 public schools and colleges is increasing constantly. Nearly all 

 the State colleges and universities are giving considerable time 

 to its study. All secondary schools of agriculture rank poultry 

 instruction with such subjects as dairying and fruit growing. 

 Recently elementary schools have commenced giving the subject 

 of poultry farming a place in their agricultural teaching. 



During the last few years the poultry industry has witnessed 

 an immense growth in popularity. This has been due to several 

 factors: The activity of the poultry press; the many poultry sys- 

 tems; attempts to meet the high cost of living; and a " back to 

 the land " movement on the part of city people. 



The needs for poultry instruction may be classed as follows: 

 (1) To develop the best system and systematize the various prac- 

 tices; (2) to train men to qualify as managers of large poultry 

 operations; (3) to train all classes of poultrymen to get the most 

 from their birds. 



Diversity of Instruction Poultry keeping involves a clear 

 understanding of many sciences and practices. An outlined course 

 of study must so present these topics that the amateur and prac- 

 tical poultry keeper can grasp the various phenomena as they 

 affect the successful handling of poultry, without an extensive 

 study of the principles underlying the entire science. For ex- 

 ample, the principles and practices of feeding must show enough 

 of the chemistry of feed and of digestion to give the student the 

 reasons underlying the practices in feeding. The same might be 

 said of breeding, housing, and sanitation. 



The Value of Practical Application. It is very desirable that 

 all students have some previous experience in the handling of a 



