302 EXPERIMEXTAL FARMS 



4-5 EDWARD Vil., A. 1905 



of midsummer eggs. This strongly emphasizes the advice so frequently given in 

 previous reports and repeated in a previous page of this one—' that farmers should 

 make it a rule to keep no male bird with the hens which lay the eggs to be taken to 

 market, or, sold to store or middleman.' This experience in relation to the superior 

 keeping quality of unfertilized eggs is by no means a new one in our department. On 

 the occasion of the two tests described above there was good opportunity for extended 

 and correct examination and the results which were so evident in so many cases, not 

 only go to prove the correctness of previous advice, but should be a useful warning to 

 all who are desirous of obtaining the highest price ' for the strictly new laid egg with 

 llavour intact,' more particularly in summer time when conditions for germ develop- 

 ment are so favourable. 



CARE AXD TREATIIEXT OF THE CIIICKEIS-S. 



On the chickens hatching out they wore allowed to remain in the incubators for 

 36 or 48 hours — until strong on their legs. If hatched by hens they were allowed to 

 remain under their mothers for the sanie length of time. The incubator chicks were 

 placed in brooders heated to 93 degrees. If season permitted the brooders were placed 

 on the grass outside and the hens with their chickens were removed to small coops, 

 also on the grass. Each of these coops had a slatted front through which the chicks 

 could run out and in at pleasure. The brooders containing the incubator-hatched 

 chickens were placed in small yards surrounded by portable wire netting fences of 

 light construction. From time to time the brooders and wire fences were moved to 

 new locations, until the chickens were old enough to rim at large. When too large for 

 the brooders the chickens were placed in colony houses situated throughout the fields 

 allotted to the department. "The same treatment was extended to the hen-hatched 

 chickens on their attaining sufScient size to warrant their removal. 



The growth of the chickens was satisfactory. Their rations and treatment were 

 as follows: — First two days, stale bread crumbs and stale bread soalv in milk and 

 squeezed dry, the former principally for the first day. On the second or third day 

 granulated oatmeal was given in addition. This may be varied with rice boiled dry, 

 or cracked wheat. After a few days growth finely crushed com has been found bene- 

 ficial and was eaten v/ith avidity. A mistake sometimes made is to overfeed the 

 chickens during the early days of their life. As the chickens grew a mash composed of 

 shorts, cornmeal, stale bread and a small quantity of beef scraps or meat meal was 

 mixed with hot vaUk or water and when cool was fed' 3, 4 or 5 times, as occasion re- 

 quired. Small potatoes were sometimes boiled and added to the mash with benefit. 

 Cut bone in small pieces and fed in small quantity at fii'st and after 14 days is one 

 of the best stimulants to vigorous growth that can be given. So are boiled liver and 

 raw onions cut up fine and mixed. In some cases water was furnished from the first 

 day of the chicle's life. In others, more particularly the brooder-raised chicks, no water 

 was given at all, the moisture in the milk-soaked bread being considered sufficient. 

 No apparent difterence as a result was evident. Grit, from tlie first was at all times 

 within reach of the youngsters. As the chickens increase in growth the mash was- 

 made of as ecoiiomical and wholesome ingredients as could conveniently be got hold 

 of. Wliole grain, principally wheat, was given after the twelfth or fourteenth day, 

 and was gradually increased in i^roportion as the first and more dainty rations were 

 reduced. The chickens were fed regularly, and while gently pushed, none of their soft 

 food was allowed to remain uneaten, turn sour, or become soiled. 



Fed and treated as oiitlined the weight development of the cockerels of the 

 utility varieties was equal to that of previous years, the average of five years 

 being 1 lb. weight development per month at and after three months of age. The ex- 

 perience of many years has shown with no uncertain results, that with healthy breed- 

 ing stock carefully fed and cared for chickens, the farmers of the country should find 

 no difficulty in having a pair of Plymouth Rock, Wyandotte, Dorking, or Orping- 



