CARE OF THE FLOCK 



275 



Fig. 98. — White Plymouth Rocks. 



of turning their feed into a fancy product at a greater 

 profit to the poultry breeder. 



Buyers of spring chickens readily pay more for a coop of 

 uniform broilers than they will for a coop containing the 

 same number of nondescript fowls of various colors and 

 shapes, because pure-bred chickens fatten more quickly and 

 more uniformly and sell for a higher price. 



Care of the Flock. The farm flock should be comfortably 

 housed and well fed. The hens should be confined within 

 definite bounds so that, while they are not crowded and 

 hampered, yet they will not have an opportunity to run 

 about the farm, wasting energy, losing eggs, and being 

 a general nuisance. While exercise is necessary to the best 

 health of the poultry, it should be intelligently restricted. 

 During the breeding season, however, it is well to let the 

 breeders have plenty of exercise. 



Two Houses Desirable. — On the average farm the 

 pullets are housed with the old hens. When the young 

 pullets are put in the same house the old hens usually annoy 



