CHAPTER II 



WHEN AND HOW TO START IN THE POULTRY BUSINESS 



This is, perhaps, the one question that is asked more frequently 

 than any other; and it is perhaps the hardest to answer. It is hard to 

 answer because the person asked does not have an inside knowledge of 

 the inquirer's financial status, nor his natural assets of grit, sticktoit- 

 iveness and adaptability. 



If a man is well fixed financially he can afford to experiment, other- 

 wise he wants to know what he is doing before he experiments. And 

 to start in any business without a fair understanding of the principles 

 is 'to court failure. The time has passed when any old failure can take 

 up the poultry business and make any kind of success without under- 

 standing something about it. But in a general way it is possible to 

 advise as to when and how to start to best advantage. 



In the fall of the year, if a house and yard is ready, is really the 

 best time to start with hens. If finances are low so that hens cannot 

 be purchased, then wait until spring and buy either baby chicks or eggs 

 for setting. Very often a second-hand incubator can be bought for the 

 price of a few hens, in which case the start can be made with a very 

 smjall sum of ready cash. 



If the start is made with hens it is well to know just what variety 

 or breed you want to raise, then get some good poultry or agricultural 

 paper and study its columns for advertisers that have the breeds you 

 want. Buy good stock if possible, as half a dozen good hens will give 

 more satisfaction than double the number of poor ones. 



During the winter months there is time to study the habits and good 

 qualities of the little flock and to prepare to venture farther, if things 

 are satisfactory. If they are not, and the beginner finds that poultry 

 does not have the attraction for him he had been led to believe it 

 would, he can drop out with no great loss of either time or money. On 

 the other hand if the beginner finds he is suited, he can during the 

 winter months prepare to enlarge his flock and take care of it. 



The one great mistake that most people make is to try to raise more 

 chicks than they have room for. Some even try to raise more than 

 they can feed, and both of these are serious mistakes, for they usually 

 end in disaster. Growing chicks need lots of room and an abundance 

 of good wholesome food if they are to give good results for the care. 

 So whatever else you do — do not go deeper than you can see the way 

 clear, for to go beyond your depth is to get discouraged and lose 

 your grip. 



