The theocrat. [volume] (Zion City [i.e. Zion], Ill.) 1914-1949, 1916-04-01
POULTRY TALKS
By o. L. Tindall.
Why Men Fail in the Poultry Business

In the first place, only very few make
it a business. Many consider it side line,
or kind Of diversion; merely a fancy,
or pleasure Consequently, but little
thought or effort is given to it. The farm
er turns it over to the women folks, who
generally have more to do than they can
attend to properly. The old hen has to
shift for herself. She only lays in the
Spring and Summer Eggs are plentiful
and cheap at that time, so there is no
money in it, to speak of.
It has been considered too small mat
ter for a man to deal with in a serious way.
In the last few years things have changed
somewhat, and men have studied into the
business. Many have taken it up and not
only made a living at it, but have gotten
good handsome income from it. Some
make the mistake of thinking it requires
no capital to start in it.
We have said that man can get into a
large business with poultry on smaller
capital than in almost any other kind Of
business; but it requires some, if he ex-
poets to live off the business. Many start
in it while they have some income from
other sources, and that is a very good
plan, as it gives one chance to learn the
new work before he risks his whole living
on it. Experience is quite necessary to
success, as one can see by the many fail
| ures all along the line. Some fail as in
every kind Of undertaking, because they
make bad calculations. They 60 beyond
their means and spend too much on equip
ments, instead Of putting their money in
| to good stock.
Men should make some allowance for
failures, bad weather, and poor crops, as
they have such things frequently. The
! farmer doesn't get "bumper crop"
every year, but they 60 right on. A man
with poultry generally drops the business
!! the first year he fails A failure should
only be spur to work harder and find out
the reason for his failure Our successful
men have come up out of great tribula-
tions, just as the man who goes into the
Kingdom of God
| [ have said, a man should make provi-
sion for a failure occasionally, as that is
the common lot Of man. think should
make an exception in this statement as
Zion man, and for Zion men, Zion men
should live on the first Psalm You should
know it by heart, and by hand, and by
experience. 1t has always been my favor
ite Psalm for this reason: it tells man
/ how to succeed in everything he under
takes and that would include this rather
difficult poultry business, which trips so
many men. [ am on in years somewhat
and have been Bible student and reader
for good many years, but have not yet
completed and worked out that first Psalm.
| ask all Zion business men and poultry
men and women to study it, as well as to
study poultry journals, and the advice and
experience Of men,
You notice that it lays down the direc-
lions for all men, which, if they follow,
they are bound to succeed. The trouble
is, we have not yet learned our lesson
properly.
There are two kinds of poultry men, viz ::
the Fancier, and the Commercial. The
first goes in for show birds to win the Blue
Ribbons at fairs, and to get fancy prices.
This is risky business, and takes much
toll and labor, besides much expense and
time. The other works for eggs and gen
eral purposes, and sells on the market in
the regular way. The two, Of course, can
be combined, and should be to great ex-
tent. The ordinary breeder can easily
get the best without going to great ex-
pense.
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