How Mrs. Strickland Built A Paying Poultry Business, June 20, 1919

From The Franklin Times, Louisburg, N.C., June 20, 1919

Builds a Paying Poultry Business

West Raleigh, N.C.—By carefully culling her flock of all boarder hens, or non producers, and buying high-priced pure-bred breeds, Mrs. W.I. Strickland proprietor of Orpington Farm at Katesville in Franklin County has succeeded in building up a valuable poultry business.

As reported by Mr. A.G. Oliver, Extension Poultry Specialist, Mrs. Strickland began her work in the spring of 1910 with only two pure-bred hens and one cockerel. From these were raised $6 chicks during the first year. In November the flock was culled to 20 hens and two cockerels. Two additional cockerels were purchased early in 1911 for $25, which were used to further strengthen the old 1910 flock.

In 1911, a pen of five strong, vigorous birds was purchased for $75, and to this pen was added six of the best hens, making what Mrs. Strickland designated as pen No. 1. From these she sold a large number of eggs at $4 per sitting, and later in October sent exhibit to the State Fair, taking many premiums and four blue ribbons for the best pullets in the show.

So encouraging were the results of the 1912 work that in 1913 she decided to further improve the flock by buying a cockerel for which she paid $100. With this bird and the four blue ribbon pullets of the previous year and six of her best hens, Mrs. Strickland made up pen No. 2, with which she again took several premiums at the State Fair.

In all, during 1912, 1913, and 1914, $2,200 worth of birds and eggs were sold from Orpington Farm. Good results were secured because these pure-bred hens were often laying when their chicks were only three weeks old, though they still took care of the young.

Aggressive work with the different pens was suspended in February, 1915, because of Mrs. Strickland’s being afflicted with blindness and being unable to give the flock good attention. However, new blood was introduced each yea r and in the spring of 1919, when her sight was partially restored, Mrs. Strickland took up her work again, having on hand a fine bunch of birds led by two blue ribbon winners with 35 hens. During January, February, and March of this year, while most chickens were doing practically nothing, this flock hatched out 138 little chicks and produced enough eggs to permit of 45 dozen being sold for food, besides a good number for sitting. At the same time the family had ?? for table use.

In Mrs. Strickland’s opinion, the White Orpington is white in name and nature, being good layers, careful sitters, and attentive mothers. During the winter months there is always a pitiful few for eggs, she states, and leads in heavy winter laying when eggs are bring their highest market price.