236 

 Unduly Artificial Conditions. 



(Prof. H. L. Kempster, Columbia, Mo.) 



The greatest fault with the average farmer's or poultryman 's 

 way of raising poultry is the tendency to unduly artificial conditions 

 around the poultry yard. "With unlimited range at his disposal, 

 nevertheless it seems impossible for him to use only a small portion 

 of his farm for poultry raising. With the farmer this range is usually 

 limited to the farm yards and with the poultryman, fences are usually 

 placed so thick that yard cultivation is restricted or rendered prac- 

 tically impossible. Fowls are very susceptible to filthy conditions, 

 and a large portion of the trouble in the farm poultry yard may be 

 traced to unsanitary surroundings, and when range is restricted on a 

 commercial plant usually the enterprise is short lived. Range for 

 growing chicks, and the arrangement of the poultry house so as to 

 permit cultivation and reseeding of the poultry runs will not only 

 render conditions more favorable but will also tend toward more 

 economical production. 



Lack of Selection in Breeding Stock. 



(Prof. J. C. Graham, Amherst, Mass.) 



I believe one of the greatest faults with the average farmer in 

 poultry management is lack of selection of breeding birds. It is 

 quite a general custom among them to breed from the entire flock 

 instead of selecting a few of the most vigorous birds for the breed- 

 ing pen. Most of them feel that the expense of separating their birds 

 and keeping the layers confined during the breeding season is too 

 great. The result, therefore, of their method is deterioration. "With 

 a very slight outlay, a few posts and chicken wire could be bought 

 and the layers confined during the breeding season. In this way 

 the breeders would have free range. The result would be strong, 

 vigorous germs that would hatch well and grow rapidly to maturity. 

 These chickens would also be from selected females and males. If 

 they were to adopt a method of this kind improvement would be 

 seen year after year in their flocks. Instead of producing birds 

 that weigh four and one-half to five pounds, they would be taking 

 to market those that weigh from six and one-half to eight pounds. 

 With careful selection, as above indicated, and observing the cardinal 

 principles in poultry construction and feeding I believe the poultry 

 business would be revolutionized in farming communities. 



Don't Consider Poultry Worth While. 



(Prof. F. C. Elford, McDonald College, Canada.) 



The greatest fault with the average farmer's way of raising 

 poultry is, that he does not consider it worth while. Anything will 

 do, both in the production and the selling. To overcome this the best 

 thing that can be done is to have the farmer put the poultry under 



