STARTING IN FALL 



35 



After the breed has been finally decided upon 

 efforts should be put forward to obtain the best 

 possible at the price you can afford to pay, and 

 care taken to get birds free from disease and of 

 vigorous stock. By buying from a responsible 

 breeder much of the difficulties in these particulars 

 can be avoided, and in most cases the beginner 

 will get full value for the money invested. 



Never buy a bird which has any deformity, such 

 as a crooked breast bone, a crippled foot, a turned 

 under toe, a wry tail, or any other bodily defect. 

 Fowls which have been stunted in their growth, 

 whether from disease or neglect, are a bad purchase 

 and are expensive at almost any price. 



The early fall also is an excellent time to put 

 up poultry houses, fencing and other necessary 

 things required for the proper housing and care- 

 taking. The weather is ideal for such work, in 

 fact more so than the early spring when the heavy 

 rains are liable to retard operations along this line. 



Even if you are only keeping poultry for the 

 eggs and meat it is advisable to pay some attention 

 to the fancy side of the business. It creates more 

 interest in the work, and at the same time makes 

 it possible for you to get a much better price for 

 the surplus cockerels, the eggs, and the baby chicks, 

 which are sold to others interested. If you only 

 keep a small flock with the sole object in view of 

 supplying the poultry products for the home table, 



