CHAPTER I 



The Road to Success 



HE figures on the cover of this book may look large 

 to you. They are large, and especially to one who, 

 like myself, was working for a modest salary. I 

 hear you say, "Well, these figures are too big for 

 me to reach." I see no reason why that should be 

 the case. You can probably do much better. You 

 are a man or woman of ordinary intelligence, I 

 am sure, and I contend anyone blessed with the 

 average intellect can succeed in the chicken business if the ideas 

 contained in this book are followed. I am no wizard. I started with 

 a very limited knowledge of the chicken business and with a limited 

 capital. By using a little common sense I succeeded. You can do 

 the same. You may not develop your business as rapidly, and, again, 

 you may do much better. For the first five years I carried on my 

 chicken business as a side issue while I was on the road as a 

 traveling salesman. I soon discovered that returns from my side 

 issue were much larger than my salary, so I resigned my position 

 on the road and am now devoting my entire time to my chickens. 



Practical Information 



I desire to give you practical Information from a practical stand- 

 point, and not theories advocated by someone who has not had actual 

 experience in raising chickens. I shall not give you advice as to 

 how you should manage your chickens, as the supply of advice is 

 generally greater than the demand. I shall tell you in a plain way the 

 manner in which I have managed my chickens, and you can take 

 what appears practical to you. I do not expect you to agree with 

 me in every detail. On the principal questions I think you will 

 find that my methods are thoroughly practical. 



Selecting the Breed 



Having decided to keep chickens, you will no doubt hesitate 

 before you select your breed. There are a number of splendid 

 breeds. You may decide to start with several breeds, as I did. 

 I kept four the first year, and at the end of the first year I found I 

 had three breeds too many, and decided to keep just one. It did 

 not take me long to decide on the breed to keep. The first year I 



