Milford chronicle., 1917-08-10
FaII---A Good Time To Begin.
By }. H. MeFAUL, Jr.
(.AH Rights RsSe,VsA

really big fellows in the commercial world were
content 70 start in sm4i aS and work upward
and this is Just true n he poultry business
as with any other. The le.iOw who attempts 70
start in the poultry business Tor the first time on
| big scale is the fellow who never continues. He
fails, and his failure causes him TO condemn the
industry.
There is reason however. for many persons at
tempting to start on an elaborate scale They are
misled by the glowing accounts published from
time 20 time Of the profits TO be derived from rails
ing chickens. Such persons rush pell nell into it
and invest large sums of money in stock and equip
ment; all without any knowledge Of the business.
The result in almost every case is failure
Oh yes. there is money to be made in the raising
of chickens, but please don't get the false idea
that you can ger ricn IN Gay or week. II IS NOT NOT
get rich quick business" by any means. II pays
TO raise chickens. but unless you start the game
right, you will surely lose.
By purchasing pen or two Of some good stand
ard variety Of fowls. and learning the business
gradually as your hOcks increase from year TO
year. you will build up strain while getting an
insight into the business. This will net you a neat
profit and the knowledge gained will serve you
well when most needed.
OF course, these results will also accrue from a
spring start provided it is done in the right way
but would advise beginning now. ] am convinced
that the fall season is by far the better time to
make the start. for much knowledge relative to
handling the birds can be acquired during the
winter than during the spring when your thoughts
and attentions are largely taken up with the brood
ing and rearing Of chicks.
Don't attempt TO Outshine your neighbor who
mas been engaged IN raslng cnickens Tor some
years. wait bit-at least until you have learned
something about the business. The show EN-"
spirit very often results in overstepping the mark
and this results in failure.
No matter how or when you start in poultry
raising some money is required. A pen or two Of
good birds cannot be had for the asking. but must
be bought and paid for. Don't buy fancy fowls
nor yet purchase mOngrels, but get good standard
utility birds and then work hard to build up good
strain of your own.
The question Of proper housing is another i'm
portant matter for the beginner. Many persons
Just starting in get the idea that 'any-old- kind
Of-a-house" is good enough for the first winter
and consequently. build a shack. This soon causes
the birds to become sick or be out of condition
constantly, and may even result in the death of
many of them Birds housed after this fashion
unfit for breeding purposes the following
spring. This is just as serious mistake as at
tempting to start on too large a scale and should
not be practiced No matter how few birds you
start in business with, see that they are properly
housed. A good, comfortable. plain house is all
that is required. but be absolutely sure that no
drafts get in. Sunshine should be admitted by
opening the south side of the structure but every
other side should be made absolutely tight and a
roof must be waterproof. Give plenty of room
on the inside of the house supply plenty of sum
shine and fresh air, and by starting in the way
suggested you will be able TO build up good strain
Of profitable fowls.