1-2 EDWARD VII. SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 A. 1902 



REPORT OF THE POULTRY MANAGER. 



(A. G. Gilbert.) 



To Dr. Wm. Saunders, 



Director Dominion Experimental Farms, 

 Ottawa. 



Sir, — I have the pleasure of transmitting herewith the fourteenth annual report 

 of the poultry department. The subjects treated are in connection with the experi- 

 mental work of the year, and are given under their different headings. The most im- 

 portant are as follows : — 



1. Eesults of continued investigation and observation into the cause of so many 

 weak germs in eggs laid by hens in early spring time, before they have had a run out- 

 Bide. 



2. What experience has shown to be the best methods for farmers to adopt in the 

 early raising of chickens. 



3. The experiences of correspondents in their attempts at early hatching. 



4. The want of a simple and inexpensive means of detecting the winter-laying 

 hens from the non-productive ones. Where the present means of doing so are faulty. 



5. Foods, their composition and effect. The farm rations and how made up. The 

 rations fed by two farmers. 



0. The proper care and feeding of the chickens. Their weight development. 



7. New breeds on trial and their characteristics. 



8. How the early moulting of the laying stock was brought about. And other de- 

 tailed information in connection with the experimental work since last report. 



Addresses were delivered during the year in different parts of the Dominion on 

 the ' proper breeds of poultry for farmers ' and ' the care, feeding and management of 

 fowls so as to make them profitable.' At the Whitby and Renfrew fairs object lessons 

 in the proper methods of killing, plucking and dressing poultry and the management 

 of incubators and brooders were instructive and interesting features. Dressed poultry, 

 consisting of turkeys, geese and chickens were exhibited at the Provincial Fat Stock 

 Show at Guelph, and at the Maritime Winter Fair at Amherst, N.S., and were instruc- 

 tive as showing the farmers how poultry should be prepared for sale for the home mar- 

 kets. 



I have pleasure in again mentioning the faithful services of Mr. George Deavey, 

 •who assists in the care and feeding of the poultry, &c. 



The demand for reports and instruction as to poultry keeping and the breeds best 

 euited for winter layers and rapid flesh makers from all part* of the country, has in- 

 creased to a remarkable extent, and with an increased correspondence are instances of 

 the rapid development that the poultry department of the farm is making. 



I have the honour to be, sir, 



Your obedient servant, 



Central Experimental Farm, 



Ottawa, November 30, 1001. 



A. G. GILBERT. 



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