REPORT OF THE POULTRY MANAGER. 235 



Composition of the Laying Stock. 



The number of layers is apparently 142, but it should be understood that among 

 them were a number of old hens and late hatched pullets. The former would not lay 

 as well as a hen in her prime, and the latter would be late in starting. As stated in 

 previous reports, the old hens, particularly those of the Asiatic breeds, are not money 

 makers during winter, for they are late in moulting, and before beginning to lay eat 

 much of the profit they may afterwards make. The late hatched pullets become appa- 

 rently stunted, for the time being, by the cold. The old hens are useful as steady 

 sitters and careful mothers, but where reliable incubators are used, they are not required. 

 By careful observation and calculation, there were 75 or 80 steady layers, and they gave 

 the following number of eggs in the months named : — 



January 777 



February 791 



March 1,644 



Preparing for Spring. 



Towards the middle of the last named month the breeding stock were mated, and 

 by the end of the month, the eggs from them were saved for hatching purposes and sold 

 at $1 per setting. The combined egg yield for the following months was : — 



April 1,939 



May 1,650 



June 1,066 



As soon as the weather permitted, the fowls were allowed to the outside runs, where 

 they had grass, gravel and sand. 



At the end of June, the breeding season was over, and the hens were allowed to 

 run at large in the fields in rear of the poultry houses, the male birds having been first 

 removed from the breeding pens, and placed in pens by themselves. 



Total Egg Yield for the Year. 



The total egg yield for the year, according to months, was as follows : — 



January 777 



February 791 



March 1,644 



April 1,939 



May 1,650 



June 1,066 



July 941 



August 386 



September 236 



October : 161 



November 114 



December 538 



Some Lessons from the Foregoing. 



It will be noticed from the foregoing figures that during the moulting period of 

 September, October and November, there were few eggs laid, for the reason that the 

 hens were comparatively non-productive. During the moulting season the hens were 

 well fed and cared for, as well as having the run of the fields. The result was the great 

 majority of the yearling and two year old hens were in fine condition and ready for 

 winter laying by the end of November. It should be remembered by farmers that their 

 moulting hens require the same care as do the layers in winter. During the moulting 

 period, the food, which at another time goes into eggs, is drawn upon to supply the 

 rapidly growing feathers. The hen which has been a regular layer all the previous 

 winter will take a rest during her moult and she will have well earned that rest. 

 Another lesson to be learned is that in order to keep up the egg supply during the period 



