REPORT OF THE POULTRY il AX ACER S03 



SESSIONAL PAPER N'c. 16 



ton (the last a comparatively new comer) cockerels, weigli 4 lbs. eacli, or 8 lbs. per 

 pair, at the end of four months. The latter age is mentioned because it is not so 

 easy to find a pound development per month at an earlier age (in the majority of 

 cases)* not because it is unattainable, but for the reason that proper effort is not made 

 to secure such a result. 



SrAXAGEJIEXT OF MATURIXG COCKERELS. 



On the young cockerels, particularly those of the Mediterranean classes, matur- 

 ing, they were removed to quarters by themselves, or, they would have annoyed the 

 growing pullets by their precocious attentions. 



Xlie larger chickens were also removed from the younger ones when circumstances 

 permitted. This is certainly advisable, for unless removed the older chickens are apt 

 to eat most of the food, and the younger ones are so deprived in great part, if not 

 altogether, of the nourishing food when they most require it. This applies with par- 

 ticular force to late chickens which need to be pushed. 



SALE OF BREEDIXG BIRDS. 



During the fall and early winter, a number of Barred and White Plymouth Eock, 

 AVhite Wyandotte and Buff Orpington cockerels were picked out and purchased by 

 farmers and others. It is gratifying to state that the demand was in excess of the 

 supply and may be regarded as evidence of the growing preference by the farmers 

 o£ the country for birds of good quality and correct market type. There was an equally- 

 good demand for eggs for hatching purposes, in early spring and summer, from many 

 different parts of the Dominion. 



AVEIGHT OF EGGS LAID BY FOWLS OF VARIOUS BREEDS. 



Variety. Number of eggs. Y\'eiglit. 



White Wyandottes (selected stock) '. Per dozen, 1 lb. 13 oz, 



(ordinary stock) " 1 " 9 " 



Black ]\[inorca3 (selected birds) " 1 '^ 12 " 



. " (ordinary birds) •' 1 " 9 " 



Buff Orpington (selected stock) 1 " 135 " 



(ordinary) • 1 " 9 " 



Light Brahmas (ordinary) - 1 " IQi " 



Black Hamburg (ordinary) " 1 '" 8% " 



Barred P. Rock (ordinary) " 1 '• S\ " 



Faverolle (ordinary) " 1 '' 8^ '' 



Silver Grey Dorking (ordinary) •• 1 '" 7J " 



Silver Laced Wyandotte (ordinary) ■■ 1 '• T " 



Wliite P. Eock (ordinary) •• 1 '■ 7 " 



White Leghorns (ordinary) " 1 '' 7 " 



Brown Leghorns (ordinary) "" 1 " 4} " 



GENERAL ADOPTIOX OF TRAP XESTS, 



It will be noticed from the foregoing enumeration of the weight of eggs that in 

 .several instances they are not as heavy per dozen a.s outside records have shown. This 

 may be accounted for that on the latter occasioas the largest eggs were most likely 

 picked out. In the foregoing table the eggs were taken and weighed- as they came, 

 except where it is stated that they were from birds selected, not because they were 

 layers of eggs of extra large size, but for their good all-round point=. The Wyandotte 

 and Orpington fowls were picked out because they were of correct market t.ypes as well 

 as good layers. And to have this combination should certainly be the aim of every 



