PREFACE 



This handbook is intended as a book of refer- 

 ence for poultrymen generally. The publishers 

 have not attempted to produce a condensed cyclo- 

 pedia covering the broad field of poultry hus- 

 bandry, but they have aimed to present to the 

 public a handy reference book convenient to carry 

 in the pocket a pocketbook in reality and con- 

 taining such information as is most often needed 

 by poultrymen who handle fowls commercially 

 in large numbers, by persons who keep a few 

 fowls in the back yard, and by breeders who aim 

 to produce poultry of the best quality for exhi- 

 bition. -Although the treatment of some subjects 

 is of necessity brief, it has been the aim so to 

 distribute the space available that it would cover 

 the more important subjects as fully as possible. 



The more important poultry foods are briefly 

 described and discussed, and sample rations are 

 given for the feeding of fowls, chicks, turkeys, 

 guinea fowls, pheasants, ducks, geese, pigeons, 

 etc. Much useful information in regard to incu- 

 bation and brooding is given. Eggs and market 

 poultry, the various methods of breeding, and the 

 enemies and diseases of poultry are discussed, 



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