364 FARM ANIMALS 



of more than half a billion dollars in value ; and so the 

 farmer's hen competes with wheat for precedence." 1 



Most farmers raise some ducks, geese, or turkeys, 

 and often all three with their chickens. Ducks are 

 good foragers, eating the refuse of food rejected by other 

 fowls. Turkeys are raised for their meat rather than 

 for eggs, their flesh bringing a higher price in the market 

 than that of any other fowl. They are distinctively an 

 American fowl, being derived from our wild turkey. 



Like most other farm stock, poultry serve a double 

 purpose, being either meat producers or egg producers, 

 some breeds being best for the one purpose and some 

 for the other, while still other breeds answer very well 

 as dual purpose hens 



Incubators, or artificial hatchers, have replaced the 

 hen where it is desired to rear fowls in large numbers 

 for the production of eggs, or when early hatching is 

 desired. The Mediterranean fowls cannot be depended 

 upon for natural incubation where large numbers are 

 to be raised. Expert poultry men, by great care, close 

 observation, and good judgment have, for a term of 

 years hatched in incubators over four fifths of all eggs 

 put into the machine. 



Housing of Poultry. Poultry should be so cared for 

 the year round that the nearest possible approach to 

 ideal conditions may prevail. The house should be built 

 on dry, well-drained ground, having an east and west 

 extension and openings toward the south so that it may 

 have the full benefit of sunshine all the year. The 

 perches, made of 2 by 3 inch scantling, should have a 

 slightly rounded surface on the upper side and be free 

 from cracks or blemishes, so that vermin may not find 



Yearbook, 1905. 



