POULTRY SECRETS REVEALED. 47 



eight weeks. While an occasional extra precocious chick may hil 

 that weight at the age, it cannot be done with any general flock. 



In fact, the beginner, unless most favorably situated, should be 

 cautious about going into the broiler industry. If all goes well there 

 is good money in it; but if the chicks get any setbacks — if they are 

 not kept on the jump — then they will not reach a broiler age at any 

 profit whatever. 



The beginner, if he has the very best stock obtainable to start 

 with, will be able to make quite a tidy sum from his surplus birds. 

 Along in December or January he should have them leg-banded and 

 scored by a competent judge. This will enable him to know which 

 are the best; and the judge will also price up the stock for him. 

 Then, if possible, get an experienced breeder of the variety in hand 

 to mate up such pens as are wanted for the coming season. 



The beginner will often be amazed to find that his highest scoring 

 birds — especially in the males — are passed by in favor of birds of less 

 value. The experienced breeder may not be able to score the birds 

 as the judges can do, but he knows how to mate, which the judge does 

 not know, unless he chances to breed that variety. 



Having matched his pens the beginner may now advertise and 

 sell his surplus stock. And he will be agreeably disappointed to find 

 that his second birds — even those running under 90, will bring much 

 better prices than if sold unscored. The reason is that a reputable 

 judge has given his birds a standing, and thus a value, which they 

 could not attain otherwise. 



If among these birds are any that score especially high, and the 

 chances are that he will have them if the parent stock is right, the 

 beginner will do well to insert a modest advertisement in a first class 

 poultry magazine stating that he has such birds for sale. He should 



