28 POULTRY FARMING 
There are not only the various specialties outlined here, but 
many other branches, as the keeping of ducks, geese, turkeys, and 
wild game. The broiler-duck business, for instance, is one of the 
largest and most profitable branches of poultry keeping. 
The advantages of poultry keeping are many. The amount 
of land and capital required is not great. There are a great variety 
of products. These are easy to market. The money invested 
brings quick returns. The business is suited to persons of either 
sex. Land is made more fertile. Poultry utilize waste products. 
Land and Capital Required.—It is safe to say that in no other 
branch of animal industry is there so little need of an extended 
outlay in land and capital to make a successful start as in poultry 
keeping. The investment in land is least for those birds which 
are not of a roving nature, as ducks and heavy fowls. With turkeys, 
and some other classes which by nature are wild, more land is 
required. They do not thrive so well in close confinement. Five 
acres will amply accommodate one thousand laying hens and pro- 
vide room for the rearing of the young stock to replace the old 
ones. Experiments show that less land is required than was for- 
merly supposed. When many birds are kept on a small area the cul- 
tivation and sanitation must be more thorough. If scarcity of land 
is not a difficulty to be met, then the most economical method is to 
allow free range. If the feed is to be grown at home, much more 
land is required,—about an acre for every one hundred birds. 
Growing chicks require much more range than adult birds. An 
abundance of park room or large runs should be allowed the young 
pullets and cockerels. Fattening fowls require very little room; 
it is desirable to keep them closely confined during the finishing 
period, as a much greater gain in weight is secured by so doing. 
The first question usually asked by a person starting out in 
any business is, ‘‘ How much will it cost?’ Unlike most other 
ventures, the poultry business may be started in a small way with 
very little capital. When starting in egg production for market 
purposes, the first cost for stock is very small; but if starting into 
the Breeding of fancy or show birds, this item is much greater. 
A modest beginning is best. This can later be extended and more 
and newer equipment can be purchased as the business grows. The 
small flock on the average farm will thrive with little scientific 
care. As the numbers are increased there is a greater chance for 
disease and a greater need of careful and systematic attention to 
detail of management, which can come only from experience. 
