FARM POULTRY.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1776, 14 June 1913, Page 20

FARM POULTRY.

BIRDS THAT PAY. Ono of the most valuable of the minor rural industries is that of poultry-keep-ing. There is scarcely a farm in the country whero fowls of some description iiro not kept, but unfortunately too many of the flocks arc indifferently looked after, and show no special advantages of breeding. They aro mostly of the old "bam door" var'ietv, and -arc left pretty much to shift for themselves. Under proper caro and ma/uagemont, the average (lock of farm poultry is just as valuable an as c ct as any other well-bred (arm stock, In the majori'tv of instances, fowls on tho farm are left a pood deal to their own dovices. They find their own sleeping quarters, are allowed to inbrocd, and are not fed regularly with egg-producing or flesh-fanning material. Hinder these conditions it is not surprising to find that there is a small yield of eggs, and that farmers complain that fowls ore more of a nuisance than a source of revenue. Given a fair chance to prove her ability, the hen that is brod on right lines, cithor production, table purposes, or a combma-

tion of both, will 600n prove her capabilities, and show a good profit over cost of keeping. It is not uncommon at this time of the year to see umvards of fifty, and sometimes considerably more, nondescript fowls about a homestead, but never an egg in tlic nests. At the present timo fresh eggs are worth two shillings dozen wholesale, and were considerably higher a few weeks ago. , . , Every farmer could participate in these markets if lie gave a little care to his hens. To the small holder in particular poultry-keeping as a . profitable side-line is of special value. It pays far better to have a flock of twenty good and well-carcd-for fowls than to have three times that number that lay only a few eggs when eggs are plentiful and cheap. J lie, care of a few fowls provides an witerestmg hobby for tlio children, and gives them an early insight into details of live-stock management that'will be of great value to them when the time conies for them to take a hand in the wider aspect of stock-breeding in. later years. An early-

created interest in tho smaller attractions of country lifo may, and often does, lead to n preference for it instead of othco or other city occupations, which too often lead to nowhere. For some years past tho State has given a great deal of attention to poultry matters, both in tie establishment of breeding stations and by diffusing instruction regarding tho way fowls should bo bred and fed for profit. In addition, many experienced poultrymon havo embarked in tho business as a solo menras of livelihood, and lrnvo successfully demonstrated what can bo dono under wiso and skilful control. Poultry-farming is, however, a precarious business unless undertaken bv an expert. On tho other harnd, poultry-keeping is a side-lino that has everything to recommond it. Everybody almost keeps a certain number of fowls, but tho majority aro non-profitable, therefore, would it not bo wiser to get rid of tho unprofitable hens and replace them with a smaller number of good birds, and then look after thorn ? There are' numbers of breeders of purebred poultry of known capabilities, from whom fresh stock ' is Srocurable at reasonable prices. A small ock of purebred fowls on tlio farm will soon establish its worth, and remove the long-standing reproach that poultry does not pay.