104 999 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 



QUESTION Is there any way to prevent fowls from molting ? 



ANSWER Molting is a natural process which cannot be avoided, 

 even though it were desirable to prevent it. The examination of 

 the plumage of a fowl after it has been worn for a year will reveal 

 the desirability, and in fact necessity, for new feathering. 



QUESTION What does it cost to keep a hen a year? 



ANSWER No fixed price can be stated. If one is on a farm 

 or small plot of ground where a part of the grain and green food 

 can be raised the cost will of course be less than if all food must be 

 purchased. On the average farm the cost per hen should not be more 

 than 60 to 75 cents per year. If all food is bought the cost would be 

 a dollar to a dollar and a quarter. 



QUESTION What variety of clover is best to sow to be used as 

 food for fowls? 



ANSWER The ordinary crimson variety. Use the second crop 

 which will be freer of long, tough stems and will be more tender 

 and succulent. 



QUESTION What amount of profit should a poultryman make 

 on each hen? 



ANSWER It depends entirely upon the feed, care and general 

 management of the flock. A poultryman who manages rightly can 

 make each fowl pay him a profit of at least $2 per year. 



QUESTION What month in the year is the best for starting in 

 the poultry business? 



ANSWER If on a small scale as a fancier, one month is as 

 good as another, except that if the start be made with eggs they 

 should be /purchased and set in March, April or May. Stock can be 

 purchased any time. A market poultry plant should be stocked in 

 the Spring or Fall. 



QUESTION What is the greatest egg yield that can be expected 

 from a single hen ? 



ANSWER There have been individual birds that have laid a 

 few more than 200 eggs in a year, but they are exceptional cases, 

 and are far above the average that may be expected. 



QUESTION What is the best litter for the scratching pen or 

 shed? 



ANSWER Clean dry straw is perhaps the best. Dry leaves are 

 also excellent. Shavings and sawdust are sometimes used, but are 

 very undesirable. Among the disadvantages of the two latter is 

 the tendency to produce crop bound. 



