214 



food they i-equire to make rapid progress. In chicken life the weak has to go to 

 the wall. Where chickens are raised in large numbers and are placed in small 

 coops, the latter must be frequently cleaned, or sickness will surely result. 



WHEN THE PULLETS LAID. 



The first pnllet to lay was a Plymouth Eock, on the 24th November, hatched 

 19th Apiil ; the second a White Leghorn, on the 28th November, hatched 26th 

 April ; the third, a Black Minorca, on the 1st December, hatched 7th May ; fourth, 

 a Langshan, on the 12th December, hatched on the 16th May. 



COMMENCEMENT OF WINTER LAYING. 



The fowls were allowed full liberty to run in the fields, in rear of the poultry 

 house, as soon as the grain was harvested. As the result of this freedom (which, 

 owing to the fine open fall, they enjoyed until the 25th November) and nutritious 

 feeding during moulting, they went into winter quarters in excellent health, and were 

 in full lay for the winter season by the 10th December. The White Leghorns, Black 

 Miuorcas, Andalusians and Plymouth Eocks, were the first to lay, a few days after 

 going into winter quarters, followed soon after by the Black Hamburgs, Mixed 

 breeds, Brahmas, Butf Cochins, Houdans, Eed Caj)8 and Wyandottes, in the order 

 named. Six days after being closed in, the winter commenced in earnest, the 

 thermometer on the Ist December going down to zero, and the next day showing 

 14 degrees below that figure. The weather continued unusually cold during the 

 month of December, the temperature in the poultry house several times going to 

 10 and 15 below freezing. Notwithstanding, the Leghorns, Andalusians and 

 Minorcas laid steadily through the month, responding to the stimulating food with 

 satisfactory results. 



EGGS LAID BY DIFFERENT BREEDS. 



Owing to the fowls running at large, promiscuously, for so many weeks in tho 

 fall, it is impossible to give a table of the eggs laid during the whole year; but the 

 following figures will show what has been done by a certain number of the diffeient 

 breeds, since going into winter quarters. It is to be remembered that the laying 

 and breeding stock were kept together, and that some old hens, though past their 

 prime as layers, were kept for their superior points as breeders. Thus, in a pen of 

 20 Plymouth Eocks, several may be old hens for breeders, others may be late 

 hatched pullets. It is only fair in such a case to give the number of actual layers. 

 When there is room, the aim will be to keep a certain number of fowls of the same 

 age for layers. 



