CHAPTER 50 



The Farm Flock (Poultry) 



By M. C. Kilpatrick 



Instructor in Poultry Husbandry, Ohio State University 



Improved methods of production and the establishment of large 

 specialized poultry farms have greatly increased the supply of poultry and 

 eggs during recent years. The demand for these products, however, has 

 been increasing even more rapidly than the supply. This increasing demand 

 is due both to the rapid increase of the consuming population and to a 

 growing preference for these products as food. The increase in the demand 

 for eggs is especially marked, due largely to the increased price of meats 

 and the fact that modern transportation facilities, storage warehouses and 

 improved methods of handling eggs have resulted in a better distribution of 

 the supply throughout the year and a higher standard of quality upon the 

 large city markets. 



Importance of the Farm Flock. — The farm flocks of the country 

 furnish 90 and possibly 95 per cent of the total supply of poultry and eggs. 

 It is natural that the general farms should be the principal source of supply, 

 because poultry husbandry is essentially a livestock industry, and for this 

 reason, best adapted to development under farm conditions. The farm 

 provides those conditions which are essential to profitable poultry produc- 

 tion, viz., ample range and pasture at low cost, cheaper feeds, the oppor- 

 tunity to make use of waste materials and convert them into marketable 

 products, low labor cost, and of greatest importance, natural conditions 

 which tend to increase rather than to decrease the health and vigor of 

 the flock. 



Unfortunately, the average farm flock falls far short of its productive 

 possibilities. This is due largely to the fact that fowls are kept on the farm 

 primarily for the purpose of supplying the home table with fresh meat and 

 eggs and have not been regarded as an important source of income. This 

 has resulted in flocks of small size and poor quality, inadequate equipment 

 and a general indifference toward poultry on the farm. The increasing- 

 demand for poultry and eggs, and the general increase in the farm price 

 of these products have resulted in making the farm flock of good size and 

 quality, and properly equipped and handled, an important source of 

 income. In addition it performs its primary function in supplying poultry 

 and eggs for the home table. 



The Size of the Farm Flock. — The size of the farm flock is an important 

 factor in determining whether poultry is to be a profitable farm enterprise 



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