The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-01-21

working knowledge of all branches of the industry.
 Because of the rigid requirements of the successful baby chick producer this branch of the industry is bound to grow larger each year. It will re- lieve the small poultryman of the ne cessity of maintaining a hatching de- pertinent with its losses and disap- pointments. It gives the amateur the result of the stock, equipment and ex- perience of the expert, and places him in position to secure any number of chicks of any variety, at almost any season of the year, and at nom- inal cost. These advantages must be recognized At the present writing there are farms which previously kep, a breeding flock and produced their own chicks which are now replen- ishing their laying flock with baby chicks from the commercial hatcheries-
 Other farms have closed out theil stock and have devoted their entire equipment to raising bullets and broil- CTS. They are termed bullet raisers
 These poultrymen secure their stock from the commercial hatcheries and
 brood the chicks. Later the bullets are segregated and graded for sale, while the cockerels are specially fattened for
 the broiler trade. The bullets are sold
 at any age desired by the buyer This
 branch. of the poultry industry is find
 ing favor among women situated in
 the suburban and rural sections, who
 have not the room nor the equipment
 to maintain a breeding flock
 How Chicks Are Shipped
 The uniform safety with which chicks may be shipped is another factor ir favor of the development of the baby chick industry. Baby chicks may bs shipped any distance provided the des- tination is reached within 36 hours. Ii is not the distance in miles, so much as the time required, which affects the safety of the chicks. Baby chicks should not be fed during the first 36 hours. During this period they should be kept quiet and allowed to sleep. At the hatcheries the chicks are packed in boxes venti lated in such manner as to provide comfortable quarters for the chicks anC unless they are roughly handled or placed where they will be subject to draughts ol intense heat, the chickss will be perfectly comfortable and hearty when they reacf their destination
 Most farms guarantee safe arrival o1 chicks. and will make good any whicf are dead or badly trampled on arriva at the express office of the purchaser The box should be opened in the pres ence of the express agent While thu express companies are IlOt iiibio AOi tAs condition of the chicks, they are liable for the condition of the carrier If it is
 broken Or shows signs of rough han ding, a note of the condition should bs made on signing for the delivery.
 l Farms are usually very careful abou 1 the chicks they ship, and send only strong, vigorous ones, for the reason that they guarantee safe arrival Chicks which are not strong will not survive the journey, in consequence they will bt source of annoyance and expense. Napoleon said ''The secret of victory !! is to bring on the reserves in the crisis { of the battle" Midwinter marks thu crisis of the poultrynians fight. He hat need of all his reserve resources at this time. Let him bring them into action There are no profound secrets about tht industry It is matter of common sense Next weeks article will remind you o1 some of these factors.