DIVISION OF POULTRY 961 



SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 



The number of fertile eggs that resulted from the one mating ranged from one in 

 the case of hen No. 61 up to five in Nos. 48 and 9. 



The first fertile eggs were received the second day after mating, and the last 

 eleven days after, none being fertile after the eleventh day. 



In the instance of hen No. 74 there was a repetition of the unfertilized egg pre- 

 ceded and followed by a fertile one; table No. 3, hen 45. 



An egg laid the day after mating was never fertile. The second egg laid after 

 mating was fertilized in ten instances out of eleven. 



Five fertilized eggs is the maximum of any hen, as was noted in previous experi- 

 ment. Table No. 4, hen No. 48, laid five fertilized eggs, the last egg being eleven days 

 after mating. 



INCREASE OF PEN FERTILITY AFTER THE INTRODUCTION OF MALE. 



It was deemed advisable to keep a record of the increase in fertility day by day, 

 the fluctuation and the time the maximum fertility would be reached when the male 

 was introduced at the commencement of the hatching season. 



For this purpose two pens of Barred Plymouth Rocks were selected and each 

 mated with a vigorous cockerel. Pen 16 contained thirty-one 2 and 3 year-old hens, 

 and pen 22 contained twenty-three pullets. 



Ottawa. 



