246 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. 



It will be seen from the above that the eggs from the pen of Black Minorca hens 

 hatched remarkably well. Two settings of 13 each gave 24 chicks, and out of 65 eggs 

 51 chicks were hatched. Their growth was most satisfactory. 



Growth and Development of Chicks. 



As soon as they were fit, the young chicks and their mothers were placed in small 

 coops, in the grass of the fields, the latter being surrounded by wire netting. New 

 ground was used during the season, and the good efiect was visible in the healthy and 

 vigorous growth of the chickens. As in the past seven years, the first food of the 

 newly hatched chickens was stale bread soaked in milk, squeezed dry, and so fed. No 

 food has been found equal to this for putting the chicks on their feet. In a day or two 

 granulated oatmeal was given with the former ration, and this was followed by a mash 

 made of boiled skimmed or sweet milk, mixed into sufficient quantities of cornmeal, 

 shorts, bran and crusts of bread. A little finely cut green bone was also fed. After 

 fourteen days wheat was given in small quantities at first. The chicks were always sent 

 to brood at night with their crops full. If rapid and satisfactory flesh development 

 is aimed at, it is peremptory that the young birds be attended to early and late. It is 

 to be borne in mind that a chicken neglected in the first five weeks of its existence will 

 never make a large bird for market, nor an early layer, if a pullet. To make weighty 

 birds for market, fine birds for the show pen or early laying females, the youngsters 

 must be carefully and steadily pushed from time of hatching, whether by hen or arti- 

 ficial incubator. There can be no getting out of this. 



The development of the chickens was much the same as in previous years, the 

 White and Barred Plymouth Rocks taking the lead with a development of one pound 

 per month, without any forcing beyond regular feeding and care, but no more than 

 every chicken should receive. The following table of progress may be interesting, viz. : 



Barred P. Rock Cockerel, hatched 24th April ; on 24th August, weighed 4 lbs. 

 tljoz. 



Langshan Cockerel, hatched 24th April ; on 24th August, weighed 3 lbs. 11 oz. 



White P. Rocks showed a gain of 13 to 16 oz.. per month. 



If the above birds had been caught, penned up and fattened previous to being 

 veighed, they would, of course, have shown greater gain. 



The Crosses Made and how they Turned Out. 



The following crosses were made : — Indian game, male ; Light Brahma, female. 

 Indian game, male ; Coloured Dorking, female. Plymouth Rock, male ; Coloured 

 Dorking, female. White Leghorn, male ; Barred P. Rock, female. 



There was, unfortunately, only one cockerel of the Plymouth Rock — Coloured 

 Dorking cross, and his progress was certainly very satisfactory, and if it can be taken 

 as a criterion, shows the cross to be well adapted for the making of heavy market 

 chickens. Hatched on the 15th April, it weighed on 20th June, following, 2 lbs. 2 oz ; 

 on 15th July, 3 lbs. 7^ oz. ; on 17th August, 5 lbs. 5 oz. A gain of 5 lbs. 5 oz. in four 

 months, without special feeding, is much above the development of the average market 

 chicken. It is the intention to try more of this cross early next season, so as to give 

 opportunity for good growth before the hot season. 



The White Plymouth Rock — White Leghorn cross chickens turned out to be pul- 

 lets, with one exception. Hatched on the 15th July, the cockerel weighed on the 26th 

 December, 4 lbs. 11 oz. The pullets are well developed and vigorous, and promise to 

 make fine fowls. 



The Indian Game — Coloured Dorking cross made very handsome heavy pullets, 

 tightly feathered, with compact body and shape of the Indian Game. One of the pullets 

 which was hatched on the 2nd June, weighed on the 26th December, 5 lbs. 4 oz. A 

 cockerel of the same cross hatched on the same day, weighed 5 lbs. 11 oz. on 26th 

 December. 



