Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1892-10-20
How Shall L Begin ?
CHAS. SIMAIS, NJ. d q.

IHAS. SlMMS, NJ. ID.
This means a great deal; IN fact it
is of so much importance that every
one who is contemplating entering into
the breeding of thoroughbred fowls,
either for pleasure or profit (Which are
identically the same), must seriously
reflect upon this proposition, 'How
shall I begin?'
To illustrate the gravity of these
words, the older breeders have only to
| pause for a moments reflection and
/ there is at Cnce, a vivid picture of
! their beginning before them, in which
/ is painted the serious mistakes they
have made and the many stumbling
/ stones they have travelled over, before
! they reached that period in their pur-
suit, where they felt contented and
knew what they wanted.
Many articles have been written per-
| tanning to the pleasures of poultry
| breeding, also, about the profitable
side of the question: all tending to
make a decided distinction between
| pleasure and profit" This is all an
error, and should not be continued.
| contend there is nothing of q nature
| to separate SO widely, pleasure and
| profit" in poultry breeding, when the
! industry is successfully conducted. SO
| whenever you read an article on poul-
try for profits, always remember that
pleasure is understood if not ex-
| pressed.
Find an old and successful poultry
breeder, who says he derives no real
pleasure from the business he is con-
Quoting CD what is still the profitable
side Of breeding, and when you have
found him you have a rara avis.
As with all things else, so it is with
the poultry business. The beginner
must be thoroughly convinced that he
wants to make a start. He should
/ never go in with a faint heart, better
| let the chickens alone till his symptoms
show a decided Chicken fever than
90 ahead Then he must go slow, af-
ter deciding to begin or lie is very
liable to get such a dose as will for
ever deprive him of the real pleasures
of breeding thoroughbred fowls. By
this [ mean to state that he can be
in the business in very short time,
with more or less expense and once in
at a considerable expenditure of money,
with no knowledge of conducting it,
there is but enc result; bitter diSap-
pOintment which i'll a majority of cases
! has tendency to so disgust him with
chickens that he will not want to see
one for some time. This is almost
certain If he starts the business at a
very big expense and with the eXpec-
tatiOns of getting rich in a short tine
with no work, as many have done.
The first thing to be considered is.
"What breed do | want?" This is in
fiuenCed by climatic conditions and the
amount of expense that can safely
| land must necessarily be invested, in
4 proper building ard run for them.
If the beginner resides in the colder
States he may reasonably expect to
derive more satisfaction with the Asiat-
les, or larger breeds, as the Light and
Dark Brahmas, COchins, Laugshans,
p. Rocks or Wyandottes, as these are
all very hardy and will not need so
much money invested in winter quar-
tiers as the smaller breeds with larger
combs. If he lives in u warmer elm
ate there is not much difference which
breed is selected.
/ do not want to be understood as
saying that the smaller fowls can not
be properly bred in Northern States,
for they can; but to do so requires
more money invested in suitable build
ingS, etc, that the amateur should
judiciOusly put into business to start
| with and a more complete knowledge
of poultry culture than is possessed by
him.
Before investing, he should come to
some definite conclusion as for what
purpose he wants his fOwls-i. e.: For
eggs, for market, for both, or for the
fancy and pleasures of caring and rear
ing these beautiful pets.
We viii suppose he lives in Missouri
or some State similarly situated with
regard to climate, and wants a breed
for market eggs.
The LeghOrnS are at the head of
the list for the number of eggs prOduc-
ed annually. OF these, many breeders
are ready to say that the Black Leg
horns are most prolific, but my eX-
perienca is that they are all about the
same, and there are some strains which
will not lay as many eggs as some of
the fowls generally considered far be-
low them in egg producing. But with
the best strains, mot too closely and
long inbred) from $50 to 200 eggs may
safely be considered a years work.
They are followed closely by the Min
orcas, B. Spanish, Hamburgs and
few others of the smaller non-sitting
breeds. Then, there are the 2. Rocks
and Wyandottes, with some strains of
L. Brahmas, Langshans and Cochins, |
but especially the two first named |
varieties that. though falling some !
short in the yearly egg production, -,
are very desirable, particularly in the |
cold winter weather, as they are the ,
best of winter layers of large brownish !
eggs, and lay when eggs are scarce !
and demand good price.
Should a market fowl be wanted, }