CHAPTER I 
IN THE BEGINNING 
industries. One can imagine a knowing man, thousands 
of years ago, owning flocks of fowls on the banks of the 
Nile or on the shores of the Mediterranean. I call him a “ know- 
ing man ” because in those days the birds would have a free range, 
pick up practically all their food, and all “increase ” in the form 
of eggs or surplus fowls would be net profit. 
In those mild latitudes no expensive housing schemes would be 
required—any old shed would do for shelter—and the man who 
owned a few thousand fowls, while earning an easy livelihood, 
would speedily become a person of rank and power. 
But while the Egyptians were noted for their profitable flocks, 
and the Mediterranean fowl] to this day is famed for her laying 
qualities, those of us in the British Isles have a different problem 
to face to make our fowls yield their increase. 
Among the general public there are two distinct opinions con- 
cerning the keeping of fowls. One is that it never did, and never 
can, pay. The other is that any ignoramus can make money out 
of poultry. Needless to say, both views are utterly wrong. A 
very large number of people in these wild and windy isles have 
succeeded, and are still succeeding, in making poultry pay. 
Another large class has made the attempt and failed. I take it 
that any man starting poultry-farming on the right lines can 
make it pay. If he does not, the chances are that he will make 
nothing pay. 
One often hears the question asked: Does poultry-farming 
pay? It is a stupid question. If poultry-farming did not pay 
there would be no poultry-farmers. . No industry can exist for any 
length of time on sufferance, on outside aid, or on its own vitals. 
13 
Pints. one em is probably the most primitive of all 
