REPORT OF THE POULTRY MANAGER. 



(A. G. Gilbert.) 



To William Saunders, Esq., 



Director Dominion Experimental Farms, 

 Ottawa. 



Sir. — I beg to submit the sixth annual report of the Poultry Department. 

 During the winter of 1891-92 careful watch was taken of the laying stock in order 

 to discover, if possible, the cause of and remedy for egg and feather eating, the two 

 vices fowls in close confinement are most addicted to. The subject is one of the 

 greatest importance, necessitating the closest attention in order that correct conclu- 

 sions may be arrived at. If the fowls eat their eggs, it is apparent that the whole 

 means of money making is gone from the poultiyman, until the practice ceases. 

 Observation was continued last winter and to the notes already made and published 

 the following may be added : — 



1. That the vicious practices are most indulged in during the months of February 

 and March. 



2. That, unless at once checked on first showing, they continue until the fowls 

 are allowed outside. 



3. That the non-layers do not indulge in the vices until the others commence. 



4. That the inactivity of the layers, caused by overfeeding, leads to the vices, 



5. That the breeds of the more nervous temperaments viz., Black Minorcas, 

 Andalusians, Eed Caps, &c. &c., are most addicted to the practices. 



6. That the vices first show among the fowls in the greatest number in one pen. 



7. That egg eating began where the laying nests were most exposed to view of 

 the fowls. 



CONCLUSIONS ARRIVED AT. 



It must be understood that the fowls were closely confined to their pens from 

 the time winter prevented their running outside, until the snow disappeared in early 

 spring. The conclusions to be arrived at from the foregoing are : 



1. It is imperative that the layers be kept in constant activity. 



2. That they must have plenty of room to scratch in. 



3. That the pullets are better separated (when possible) from the older fowls. 



4. That plenty of green stuff should be fed in the shape of clover hay, cabbage, 

 mangels, turnips, &c. 



5. That green bones, cut up and fed regularly, are the best preventives. 



6. That the laying stock should have access to barn, shed or stable to scratch 

 in, whenever circumstances permit. 



7. That the nest boxes must be so arranged that they will be dark and not too 

 easy to get to. 



8. The more limited the quarters, the greater the necessity of exercise. 



9. The more natural the conditions under which the layers are kept, during 

 the close season, the better for them, the more profitable the result. 



In the portions of the Dominion where the winters are comparatively mild the 

 care and treatment of the stock are attended by a minimum amount of labour and 

 anxiety. In such localities opportunities to let the layers out for a run frequently 

 occur and the vices mentioned above are not experienced. On the other hand there 

 are portions of the country where necessity compels the housing and the artificial 

 ti-eatment of the layers during certain months. As remarked in report of 1891, it 

 is to persons so situated that the experiments relating to tlie care and management 

 of fowls in winter quarters will be most valuable. 



