PLAN No. 239. BACKYARD POULTRY KEEPING
Acknowledgment is due for this article to the United States Department of Agriculture, Washington, D. C. Contribution from the Bureau of Animal Industry, A. D. Melvin, Chief.
In every household, no matter how economical the housewife, there is a certain amount of table scraps and kitchen waste which has feeding value but which, if not fed, finds its way into the garbage pail.
Poultry is the only class of domestic animals which is suitable for converting this waste material, right where it is produced in the city, into wholesome and nutritious food in the form of eggs and poultry meat.
Each hen in her pullet year should produce ten dozen eggs. The average size of the back-yard flock should be at least ten hens. Thus each flock would produce in a year 100 dozens of eggs which, at the conservative value of 25 cents a dozen, would be worth $25.
By keeping a back-yard poultry flock the family would not only help in reducing the cost of living but would have eggs of a quality and freshness which are often difficult to obtain.
Remember that eggs produced by the back-yard flock cost very little, as the fowls are fed largely upon waste materials.
An illustration of the average back yard of the city man which may be turned to a profitable use by raising chickens.