REPORT OF THE POULTRY MANAGER. 



(A. G. Gilbert.) 



To William Saunders, Esq., 



Director Dominion Experimental Farms, 

 Ottawa. 



Sir, — I have the honour to submit to you the seventh annual report of the Poultry 

 Department. 



Among the subjects treated, with a view to the winter production of eggs, are : — 



1. Different rations and their constituents. 



2. Rations within easy reach of the farmer. 



3. When and how to feed the rations. 



4. The essentials necessary to success/ 



The Diseases of Poultry and their treatment, also receive some attention. 



During the year meetings were attended at Manotick, Hensall (2), Dashwood (2), 

 Wingham (2), Harrow (2), Toronto, Richmond and Cornwall (2), in the province of 

 Ontario, and at Aylruer, P.Q., on two occasions. At these places 16 addresses were 

 delivered on the proper care and management of poultry. 



I have to acknowledge the reception of settings of eggs, kindly presented to the 

 Department by the following : — 



1 setting White Leghorns (Wychoff strain), from Mr. A. A. L. Jack, Chateau- 

 guay Basin, P.Q. 



1 setting White Leghorns from Mr. A. G. Brown, Watford, Ont. 



1 setting Barred Plymouth Rock eggs from Mr. A. Flawn, London, Ont. 



The experimental work and results are given in report. 



One result obtained, worthy of particular note, was that from the careful treat- 

 ment of the hens during their moult. As the moulting period approached the hens 

 were put on a generous diet, similar to that given for egg production. With a free 

 run in the fields and the treatment mentioned, the yearling hens, followed by the two-year- 

 old stock, were first over their moult and as a result 538 eggs were had during December, 

 most of which were laid by them. The unusually mild weather in December was no doubt 

 a factor also, but the fine appearance and condition of the stock were too decided to 

 leave any doubt, as to the benefits of care, good feeding, and housing of young stock. As 

 a rule the laying stock of the farmer receive no particular attention at their moult, and 

 most of them are kept until they are too old. 



T am, sir, your obedient servant, 



A. G. GILBERT, 



Manager Poultry Department. 



8c— 15^ 



