226 



It may be interesting as another experiment to place eggs on the dry boards and 

 sprinkle them occasionally during the hatching period. 



Treatment op the Young Chicks. 



After hatching, the chickens were allowed to remain in the nest for 18 or 24 

 hours, 80 as to become thoroughly "nest ripe." Their first meal consisted of stale 

 bread soaked in milk and squeezed dry. This was continued for nearly a week, 

 with dry bread crumbs for a change. As the chickens grew, a more substantial 

 mixture of shorts, cornmeal and bran was fed, lightly at first and more fiequently 

 afterwards. It is most important that the chicks should be fed lightly but often. 

 They should never be allowed to remain hungry for any length of time. A neglected 

 chicken will never make a good market fowl. Full instructions as to the care and 

 management of growing chickens will be found in report for 1890, page 212. 



Progress op the Chickens. 



The chickens grew rapidly, the Plymouth Eocks S,nd Wyandottes making the 

 most rapid headway, as follows : — 



Plymouth Rocks. 



Four Plymouth Eock cockerels, hatched on the 12th of May, weighed, on 2l8t 

 of August following, 3 lbs. 14 ozs.,3 lbs. 8 ozs.,3 lbs. 8 ozs., 3 lbs. 5 ozs.. respectively. 



On the 7th of October the same birds weighed 6 lbs. 8 ozs., 5 lbs. 14 ozs., 5 lbs. 

 6 ozs., 5 lbs. 2 ozs. 



On the 23rd November, 7 lbs. 4 ozs., 7 lbs. 2 ozs., 6 lbs. 14 ozs., 6 lbs. 12 ozs. 



On the 5th December, 7 lbs. 8 ozs., 7 lbs. 4 ozs., 6 lbs. 12 ozs., 6 lbs. 12 ozs. 



Wyandottes. 



Four Wyandotte cockerels, hatched on the 8th of May, weighed, on the 21st of 

 August following, 3 lbs. 13 ozs., 3 lbs., 2 lbs. 8 ozs., 2 lbs. 8 ozs. It will be noticed 

 that the first mentioned Wyandotte was only one ounce behind the heaviest Ply- 

 mouth Eock of very nearly the same age. This was a remarkably good i-esult, and 

 goes to show that the Wyandottes make a rapidly-maturing and heavy market fowl. 



On the 7th October the same Wyandotte cockerel weighed 6 lbs. 2 ozs., as 

 against 6 lbs. 8 ozs. of the Plymouth Eock, being only 6 ozs. behind. 



On the 23rd November the Wyandotte weighed 6 lbs. 14 ozs., as against 7 lbs. 

 4 ozs. for the Plymouth Eock. 



Buff Cochin. 



A Buft' Cochin cockerel, hatched on the 4th of May, weighed, on the 2l8t of 

 August following, 4 lbs. 6 ozs.; on the 7th October, fibs. 8 ozs.; on the 23rd 

 November, 7 lbs. 8 ozs. As compared with the Plymouth Eocks and Wyandottes 

 this, at first sight, may seem a good showing, but it must be borne in mind that a 

 great part of the weight of the Buff Cochin was made by his large, bony frame, 

 while the bones of the Plj'mouth Eocks and Wyandottes were smaller, and their 

 weights were consequently more in flesh — a very important consideration when 

 choosing a breed to produce early market chickens. 



When the Pullets Laid. 



A White Leghorn pullet, hatched on the 9th of May, was the first of the young 

 stock to lay on the 21st October. A Wyandotte pullet, hatched on the 8th of May, 

 laid her first egg on the 5th December, and she was followed on the 7th of the same 

 mouth by a Plymouth Eock pullet, hatched on the Vlih. of May. An Andalusian 

 pullet, hatched on the 2Ut May, laid on the lOih December, and others of the same 

 ■breed soon after. The experience of every year goes to prove the advantage of 



