REPORT OF THE POULTRY MANAGER 215 



SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 



Spanish, or Mediterranean family would perhaps do better on a larger allowance, than 

 that given to pullets of the Asiatic or American classes. And a hen, or pullet which is 

 laying well is likely to eat more than a non-productive one. 



Cut Bone, — was generally given in proportion of one pound to 15 or 20 hens. 



Wheat, about 8 or 10 lbs to 100 fowls, according to their age and condition and 

 nature of other rations. This grain was not all fed at one time, but from time to time 

 so as to keep the fowls busy searching for it when thrown into the litter on the floor. 

 And it was not fed when mash, or, cut bone was given. Oats were sometimes used to 

 scatter in the litter. Occasionally buckwheat took the place of wheat, but the latter 

 was the principal grain fed and is certainly the best, where there is no choice of variety. 



Roots, lime and grit were always in supply, and water to drink was in abundance. 

 Experience has shown that variety in food and times of feedirig is desirable. 



A correspondent recently wrote that treatment, according to the best advice he 

 could receive, had failed to make his comfortably housed pullets, of early hatch, to lay 

 so far. Another correspondent says the same of his hens and then describes the rations 

 and quantities fed, which were very much more than should have been given to hens of 

 a heavy breed. In the first instance it is quite possible that the pullets were from a 

 strain of poor layers, particularly so in winter. To have early and satisfactory winter 

 layers, they should come from parent hens well known as both. There are strains of 

 poor laying fowls as there are strains of poor milch cows. The remedy is to make a 

 change as soon as circumstances will permit. In the second case the hens were un- 

 doubtedly in an overfat condition, the result of mistaken generosity in the quantity of 

 food given. The remedy is to lessen the amount fed, incite the fowls to as much 

 exercise as possible, in searching for their food, and allow a liberal supply of roots. Lean 

 meat, vegetables or roots and active exercise are factors in regaining the normal condi- 

 tion. Information in regard to the last mentioned condition of many flocks, of pros- 

 pective winter layers, is so frequently asked that the information given, as to remedial 

 action will likely be of interest to many. 



EGGS LAID DURING THE YEAR. 



The following are the number of eggs laid in the different months during the year , 



1901. 



December 1,270 



1902. 



January. 1,982 



February 1,9.37 



March 2,392 



April 2,-584 



May 1,814 



June 1,015 



July 367 



August 288 



September 132 



October 20 



November 324 



14,125 



