CHAPTER XXII 



OVERCROWDING 



OVERSTOCKING is one of the common mistakes of 

 the amateur poultry raiser. His enthusiasm has run 

 high and his zeal is apt to get the best of him. Ca- 

 pacity must be reckoned with ; it means much in the 

 way of proper results, and figures extensively in the 

 profits to be derived from the enterprise. 



It is just as unreasonable to expect to operate a 

 large poultry plant in a small back yard as it is to 

 operate a big manufacturing plant in a small build- 

 ing. In either case the business would be unprofit- 

 able to say the least, and would soon be given up as 

 a failure. 



Many losses among both chicks and grown-up 

 fowls can be attributed to overcrowding. Our do- 

 mestic fowl can stand considerable confinement, pro- 

 viding, of course, it receives the proper food and 

 attention, but it cannot withstand the hardship of 

 being kept in large numbers in a small space. Too 

 many fowls in a small space will breed disease, re- 

 sulting in a rundown flock and many deaths. 



Hens when overcrowded will not produce the 



proper amount of eggs, and those eggs which are 



laid will not bring forth the healthy and vigorous 



chicks. Overcrowding often causes feather eating, 



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