214 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 



2-3 EDWARD VII., A. 1933 

 EARLY PENNING UP OF FOWLS. 



On October 22 the following fowls were selected and put into pens in Na 1 house, 

 of 8 X 14 feet with outside runs of 8 x 48 feet. They were fed the same rations as given 

 to the other birds running at large in a field. This was done before winter laying had 

 commenced and after the hens had moulted, and in order to ascertain if so penning and 

 feeding the birds would cause them to lay earlier than those enjoying the greater 



range 



12 Barred P. Rock hens, eggs laid in November 62 



12 Light Bra. P. Rock hens (crossed) eggs laid in November. . . 35 



1 2 Buff Leghorn hens, eggs laid in November 20 



1.5 Barred P. Rock pullets, eggs laid in November 49 



13 White II Pullets, eggs laid in November 11 



6 Faverolle n n . n 15 



70 192 



The remaining 147 hens and pullets laid eggs, during the same time, to the number 

 of 132. The advantage is apparently with the penned fowls. 



COMMENCEMENT OF GENERAL WINTER LAYING. 



The fowls of all breeds moulted well and w-ere in good feather by middle of October. 

 The same treatment and food were adopted, in order to secure an early moult, as des- 

 cribed at length in report of last year. Winter laying began by the hens enumerated 

 above and was fairly general by the beginning of December. The first pullets to lay 

 were Barred Plymouth Rock, Light Brahma — P. Rock cross, Faverolle and Buff Leg- 

 horn. The average age at which laying began was five months. 



RATIONS USED AND THEIR VALUE. 



The following amounts are fed to 247 fowls at present : — 



Cts. 



20 lbs. wheat 26 



16 lbs. cut bone at Ic. per lb 16 



16 lbs. ground grains for mash 22 



Lime, grit and roots (mangels) 3 



69 



The mash is composed of 7 lbs. shorts 7 c. 



4^ lbs. gro jnd o it.s 8c. 



4| lbs. glu'jen mja! 7c. 



22c. 



As in previous years the mash was fed 3 times per week and in the afternoon 

 during winter. In feeding at this time it was considered less liable to retard tlie hens 

 from exercise, which was occasionally the effect when fed in the morning. Much 

 depends upon the conditions under which the hens live. If in an unheated house, a 

 little hot mash for first ration, would likely be warming and stimulating, and attended 

 with beneficial results. But where the house is warmed it is likely to be of more benefit 

 when fed for last ration. As to quantity, as nearly as possible one pound, measured 

 dry, to every 15 hens. Again this depends very much upon what close observation of 

 the effect would dictate. Pullets might require a greater quantity. Members of the 



