The independent-reporter., 1910-11-17
THE POULTRY INDUSTRY
IN MAINE
No Glass of Live Stock Found on
More Farms Than This.

The Quarterly Bulletin of the Maine
Department of Agriculture for Septem-
Der is devoted to the Poultry In
dustry. Probably no class of live
stock is found on more farms in the
United States than this. There is no
branch of agriculture that can be
carried on as profitably and success
fully, for the amount of money In
vested, as the raising of poultry. The
capital required Is small. Most farm
ers keep few hens, which obtain the
greater part of their living from the
waste products of the farm. With the
average farmer this is side issue,
and a special income without much
expense. The bulk of the eggs in this
State is raised by the farmer from
small flocks which are allowed the run
of the orchard, pasture or field, and
this is the cheapest method of egg pro-
duction In recent years, however, the
business has grown in many in
stances to distinct industry, and II
can be profitably carried on on large
scale If it Is given the proper care and
attention. The market for strictly
fresh eggs Is always good. Eggs are
the most digestible form of animal
food, and they are coming more and
more into use in lieu of the high
priced meats. Chickens and fowls
are always in good demand.
The magnitude and Importance of
the poultry industry are indicated by
the fact that the income from the
fowls in the United States in one
year is equal to the combined value of
the two staple crops, oats and pota-
toes. The contributions of the hen to
the country's wealth reach the annual
total of half a billion dollars or more,
an amount nearly equal to the nation s
wheat crop. The amount of poultry
products in the United States is esti-
mated at one-sixth of all the animal
products. The number of hens in
Maine in 1908, as reported by the
State Board of Assessors, was 1907
$50, and the estimated value of poul-
try and eggs produced, $3,l 1878
This is by no means the limit to
which this industry might be carried
with profit in the State, and we hope
that this Bulletin will inspire the
farmers to a better realization of their
opportunities and the possibilities
that this branch of industry offers.
The breed to adopt is generally best
governed by the preference of the
farmer. There has been much i'm
provement in poultry breeding and
pure breds are now largely taking the
place of the mongrel stock which was
formerly so prevalent. Some prefer
the large Mediterranean breeds and
others, other varieties. For pure egg
production the small breeds are usual
ly the best, but the poultry grower
has always two objects in view,-
poultry and eggs. 1t is we'll to select
a breed of established reputation
one that has stood the test OF time.
Much has been said and written in
relation to the feed of the hen.
am of the opinion, however, that
whole feed, corn and other. grains
should form the bulk of the food con-
sumed by hens. They must be sup
piled with a proper amount of pro-
tein, carbohydrates and ash. Hens
appreciate variety of food. Vege-
table food of some kind should be
supplied them all the year round. AL
so, If best returns are to be obtained
from the flock, animal food of some