206 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 



2-3 EDWARD Vll., A. 1903 



remain non-productive when eggs are at their highest value. On the other hand the 

 May pullet, which probably begins to lay in November and continues to do so 

 without ceasing during the season of high prices is obviously the most suitable liird 

 for the farmer. 



As to the best means of hatching and rearing the chickens, farmers and poultry 

 breeders are fast realising that in order to have the early chickens in requisite number 

 and uniform age artificial means are necessary. There is no intent to belittle the 

 hen as a hatching medium. Doubtless she will be the favourite with those who desire 

 only a limited number of chickens and are not particular as to whether early or late 

 hatched. But where over one hundred chickens are desired early and at the same time, 

 many more liens than are usually obtainable at that season would be required to give 

 desired results. 



HOW MANY CHICKS SHOULD A FARMER REAR] 



In connection with the early hatching and rearing of chicks the question is fre- 

 quently asked as to the number of hens a farmer should keep and the number of chickens 

 he should hatch. This question has been answered in a previous report, but it is asked 

 so frequently that it may be admissible to reply to it again. Under ordinary conditions 

 a farmer should be able to keep from 50 to 100 hens and to raise with success 150 

 chickens. If there is help to be had from wife, sons or daughters a greater number 

 may be successfully handled. But it is fair to presume that the greater number of 

 chickens throughout the countr}' will be produced by the farmers with a few hens rather 

 than by few farmers with a great number. As in other lines of business it is not 

 wise to aim at large results in poultry keeping without the assistance necessary to ensure 

 success. 



A SENTIMENTAL VIEW OF HELP FROM THE FARM HOME. 



Poultry keeping admittedly affords congenial and healthful employment for women. 

 Many poultry plants, of less or more magnitude, are successfully conducted in this and 

 the neighbouring countiy by wives or daughters of farmers and business men. In 

 Eno-land sevei-al extensive poultry establishments are successfully managed by ladies of 

 title and wealth. A phase of the subject which, perhaps, appeals to the farmer from a 

 sentimental as well as practical standpoint is that in creating a taste for poultry culture 

 in his boys or girls he may weave a tie that will permanently bind the young people to 

 the farm. The caring for and properly feeding of 150 or 200 chickens certainly afford 

 ample opportunity to the young or older people, for in no time of the chicken's life is 

 proper care and feeding more required than during the first six weeks of its existence. 

 And in too many instances that, unfortunately, is the period during which chicks are 

 allowed to ' pick up their own living.' It is hardly necessary to say when chickens so cared 

 for arrive at the market they receive the lowest value. It is well to bear in mind that 

 any extra care or attention given to the chick during the period mentioned will be 

 amply repaid by quick development. On the other hand neglect can hardly ever be 

 repaired. 



CLOSE CONFINEMENT vs FRESH AIR. 



In order to ascertain results in strength of germs, and number and vitality of chicks 

 from hens which were closely confined, in a warm house during winter as compared with 

 those which had run in cold but fresh air, the following tests were made. On March 

 1 1 two broody hens were given 1 3 Barred Plymouth Rock eggs each. These eggs were 

 from hens which had laid fairly well during the winter, were mated with a vigorous 



