REPORT OF THE POULTRY MANAGER 207 



SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 



young Ijird, but had been confined to pens from beginning of season, without any opport- 

 unity for outside run. The eggs were as nearly new laid, as possible. Results from 

 the 20 eggs were 9 chickens which were placed in an outside coop and made satisfactory 

 progress for a few days, but despite attention and careful feeding dropped off, one at a 

 time, until only two were left, and they made most unsatisfactory progress, and never 

 attained full size. They were all evidently weaklings, the offspring of weak germs. 



A week later 1 3 eggs were obtained from Barred Plymouth Hock hens which had 

 laid well during the winter, but had a run out to a small shed which they were often 

 into, even in very cold weather. The hens were mated to a vigorous young male, which 

 also had the benefit of the run. The result was 7 chickens, which with the mother hen 

 as with the first lot were placed outside in a slatted coop. The chicks were hardy from 

 the first. With the same food and treatment as given to the others, they made rapid 

 growth, without any loss in their number. They gave every evidence of constitutional 

 vitality. Further details as to the condition of the unhatched eggs, in both cases, will 

 be found in the following table of eggs set and chickens hatched (by hens) during the 

 season. This table also furnishes further instances of the efTect of close confinement on 

 hatching results, as compared with those after the fowls had opportunity to run outside. 

 It will be seen that in all cases the eggs were placed under hens. In the case of the 

 early eggs this is worthy of notice, for failure cannot possibly be attributed to the 

 hatching medium, as might be done had artificial means in the shape of incubator and 

 brooder been used. Poor results then point clearly to the eggs as the cause. 



