14 POULTRY SECRETS REVEALED. 



common in small flocks, even though she Is not — and probably never 

 will be — a commernial fact. 



The town lot breeder can, and usually does, know his birds indi- 

 vidually. Thus he can mate properly — as will be described later on— 

 and from his small flock produce a high percentage of first class birds. 

 Selecting some popular variety, and breeding only for the fancy, a 

 good living can be made on a half acre. 



The average farm flock is a nightmare — a jumbled mess of mon- 

 grels. A majority of farmers still think that poultry is something 

 for the "women folks" to "fuss with" but of no real importance. This 

 is a great mistake. It is safe to say that there is not a farm of 

 ordinary size where general crops are grown, that, properly managed, 

 would not pay far better with poultry than with anything else. The 

 town breeder must buy everything for his birds. The farmer can 

 raise everything — or an equivalent. If he has the ability he can breed 

 both fancy and market poultry, and thus make money at both ends 

 of the business. There are very few places where poultry and eggs 

 fail to find a ready market at good prices; and fancy poultry is bred 

 all the way from Maine to California. 



On the farm the birds should not be cooped or penned to keep 

 them out of the garden. No. Pence in the garden and let the birds 

 run free. Neither should they be made feathered tramps, roosting 

 under sheds, in barns or out-buildings. Nor should they be allowed 

 to loaf about the kitchen door looking for table scraps. Even that 

 alleged breeder, who pretended to have made $3,600 in one season 

 from 30 hens, by feeding them on table scraps, did not allow them to 

 befoul his kitchen steps. His mythical "feeding" was done at a dis- 

 tance. 



The farmer should adopt the extensive or colony system. Therein 

 lies the secret of success with farm poultry. Colony houses large 



