CHAPTER VI 



What to Do Each Month of the Year 



HAVE told you of the success of my first five 

 years. I will now discuss in detail how I conduct 

 the chicken business for the entire year. 



My year commenced with August, so I will com- 

 mence with the first and tell you what I do each 

 month. This time of the year is generally quiet 

 on the farm. I take advantage of this dull season 

 to prepare my advertisements, and during this month I place all my 

 contracts for the year for advertising. The chicks are well advanced 

 by this time, so I can see what I have to sell and what the prospects 

 are for the coming year. As grains are cheaper at this time of the 

 year, I buy up all the wheat and grain required for the season. By 

 doing this I find it very economical, and generally save quite an item 

 by buying in August rather than in December. By buying direct 

 from the farmer I also save the feed man's profit, which is also 

 quite an item. I have also found it a good time to place my order 

 for shipping boxes, baskets and other supplies. If I waited until 

 late in the season to buy these things I might be delayed and might 

 not be able to get them when I really needed them. 



Care of Young Stock 



I find little to do with the stock during August, except to kefep 

 them free from lice. It is very important that this is watched closely, 

 and especially the old male birds. 



September finds the pullets ready for the laying house. They 

 should be placed in their laying houses early enough to get accus- 

 tomed to their new quarters by the time they are ready to lay. The 

 cockerels have developed sufficiently to admit of judging their quality 

 intelligently so the poor grades can be sold. It is always good policy 

 to keep the best for sale and butcher the rest. By doing this early I 

 have more room for my growing stock. The colony houses that 

 housed fifty birds comfortably when younger have now become 

 crowded since the birds have developed. By disposing of the culls 

 at the market the good birds have a better show. 



Houses Thoroughly Cleaned and Sprayed 



The houses are thoroughly cleaned, and buildings that are not 



