Our Civic Duty
Backyard chickens were strongly encouraged during World War I, and this poster was widely distributed during 1917 and 1918.
It is interesting to note that during World War II, both Victory Gardens and Victory Flocks were encouraged by the US government, with Victory Gardens supplying up to 40% of the produce consumed by Americans. Gardens and Chickens – two of the very basics in Food Security!
2 Hens for Each Person in the House – hmmm…
Here’s the actual text:
Uncle Sam Expects You To Keep Hens and Raise Chickens
Two Hens in the Back Yard for Each Person in the House Will Keep a Family In Fresh Eggs
EVEN the smallest back yard has room for a flock large
enough to supply the house with eggs. The cost of main-
taining such a flock is small. Table and kitchen waste pro-
vide much of the feed for the hens. They require little attention—
only a few minutes a day.
An interested child, old enough to take a little responsibility,
can care for a few fowls as well as a grown person.
Every back yard in the United States should contribute its share to a bumper crop of poultry and eggs in 1918.
In Time of Peace a Profitable Recreation
In Time of War a Patriotic Duty