The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1922-02-23
Can l Make Living From Poultry?
(By Prof. Frederic H. Stoneburn)

table in the land poultry products
are served at frequent intervals
Millions upon millions of dollars are
invested in and millions of people de-
vote all or portion of their time to
this "billion dollar industry" But in
spite of all this, the average person
seems to lack specific information re-
garding the money-making possibili-
ties of poultry keeping as an occupa-
ton. In the majority of cases the al
legged information he has is so far
from the real truth as to be little
short of ridiculous. 1t ranges all the
way from "no-money-in-poultry' to
Observation-Disclosures" The
truth, as usual, lies between these
two extremes.
To vast number of city dwellers
there is a tremendously strong appeal
il. the idea of moving out into the
country and starti ng "a chicken
farm" And with astonishing fire.
quency there come to my desk letters
requesting information and advice on
the subject. Of this class of commu-
n:cations the following is typical
example,,
! 81 am very much interested in your
poultry articles running in The New
York World.
Myself and wife are getting along
in years. We have a little money
saved up and have six acres of ground
FIVE miles from Jacksonville, Fla.
"Would We make success in the
poultry business? Please give me
your honest advice"
To one WHO has lively sense OF
the responsibility involved in reply
irg to such an appeal, questions OF
this kind are mighty hard to answer.
An unqualified eyes" might mean to
the interested inquirer the loss OF a
part or the whole of the savings OF
a lifetime. A positive mo" might
prevent the carrying out of a plan
which would work out beautifully, not
only in financial way but in health,
independence and the constant pleas
ure which accompanies the care Of
living creatures and life in the open
country.
Emphatically eyes"
To the question, "Csn a good living
he made from poultry keeping?" The
answer must be emphatically "Yes."
But when the query takes the form
of "Can make a success Of poultry
farming?" The reply must be, "That
depends upon you"
Not all individuals are tempera-
mentally or physically qualified to
conduct the business, and this per-
sonal element is the big factor. Fur
ther, a certain amount of knowledge
and experience and a sufficient work
ing capital are highly essential. With
ample capital to safely carry the en-
.terprise through the period, required
to gain the necessary experience or
with a sound working knowledge OF
the business plus a reasonable capt.
tai, success may be reached. These
factors may be balanced either way.
But 1 feel safe in saying that few
succeed if they lack the absorbing
personal interest which guarantees
that their birds will be given the
constant, thoughtful care they should
have, or the physical strength which
permits the well-meaning owner to
give such care, day after day, through
out the year.
The average city dweller seems to
have greatly exaggerated idea OF the
possible profits to be derived from
poultry husbandry. He knows that
he pays, during certain seasons OF
the year, from go cents to dollar
per dozen for table eggs. He learns
that vast numbers of Matching eggs
are sold each year at from 80 cents
to $500 each. He hears of birds OF
exhibition quality being sold at sou
t. $500 each. Lacking any informa-
ton as to production and selling costs,
the profits demanded by various mid
dlemen who stand between producers
and consumers, it is only natural
that the business looks most attrac-
tive to those who do not have ac-
cess to the real facts.
Now as TO the possibilities OF the
city family making good with a poul-
try enterprise. Logically, such must
turn to the utility or commercial side
of the business, the production OF
table eggs and meat. The business
of the fancier or breeder who special
ICES in the production and sale OF
exhibition birds and high class breed
ing stock is too technical for the be-
.-..S - ,,nlarfoLo Tbic NAV natrr-