REPORT OF THE POULTRY MANAGER. 263 



SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 



THE PROPER BREEDS FOR THE FARMER. 



The farmer evidently desires fowls which will give hirti eggs in v/inter, and later 

 on rapid flesh-forming chiclis. Both results may be secured by means of Plymouth 

 Rocks or Wyandottes. This is not said with prejudice to other breeds. Of the two 

 breeds named, Barred Plymouth Rocks and White Wyandottes are given first choice, 

 not only on account of their good qiialities, but because they can bo had almost in any 

 locality and at cheap prices. Experimental work, extending over many years, has 

 showji that Barred Plymouth Rock pullets lay as well as any others. With proper 

 care and feeding, from time of hatching, a pair of Barred Plymoutli Rock cockerels 

 should weigh, at the end of four months, 8 or 8i pounds. White Wyandottes have low 

 combs and a blocky flesh-carrying body, and for those reasons make excellent fowls for 

 the farmer. Mr, A. G. Goodacre, of Grand Pre, N.S., writes that his strain of White 

 Wyandotte hens laid eggs, seven of which weighed one pound. As to flesh develop- 

 ment, the weights are given, in a previous page, of a number of cockerels hatched from 

 eggs obtained from Mr. Goodacre. The characteristics of both Barred Rocks and 

 White Wyandottes, with those of other standard breeds, are given in a foil d wing 

 page. 



PROPER NUMBER OF FOWLS. 



From 100 to 150 hens should not overtax the resources or energy of the ordinary 

 farmer. If he has help from wife and family, as many have, a greater number may be 

 profitably kept. But it is not desirable, under any circumstance, to have more hens 

 than can receive the care and attention so necessary for success. With judicious 

 management and treatment of his stock, and proper sale of their products in eggs and 

 chickens, each hen should yield a profit of $1 to $1.50 per year, over and above expenses 

 of feed, which to a farmer should not be more than 75 cents pei- head for the same 

 time. 



SUITABLE FOOD AND TREATMENT. 



In the preparation of the winter rations, calculated to incite their fowls to egg 

 laying during that season, farmers should find opportunity to utilize much of the waste 

 of their farms. The mash affords a means of doing so, as will be apparent in the 

 following list of rations, which afford liberal range for choice, not only to farmers but 

 to others. 



RATION 1. — SUITABLE FOR USE BY FARJ^RS. 



Morning. — Mash of whatever ground grains are in greatest abundance and 

 cheapest, mixed with potatoes, turnips or carrots, boiled. Many of the 

 vegetables named are in the shape of waste, and may be made good use 

 of in this way. Add a small quantity of black pepper and a few pinches of 

 salt, and mix into crumbly condition. Feed three mornings or afternoons 

 of the week. For proportions in which to feed, see Ration 5. The mash 

 may be varied occasionally by mixing in clover hay in lieu of the boiled 

 vegetables. The clover hay should be well steamed before being used. 

 After feeding scatter two or three handsfull of oats in the litter on the 

 floor of the pens to start the hens to exercise in searching for it. Other 

 three mornings of the week feed cut bone or meat in some shape. When 

 mash or cut bone are fed in the afternoon, feed grain in the morning 

 instead. 



Noon. — A little more grain to keep hens in exercise. * 



Afternoon. — This ration should be thrown in the litter on the floor, before it is 

 too dark, and should be fed in such quantity as to send the fowls to roost 

 with a full crop. Wheat is the best grain. Buckwheat is excellent. 



