RETORT OF TEE POULTRY MAX ACER 317 



SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 



majority of the letters came from correspondents living in parts of the country where 

 winter conditions are similar to ours, and told of early attempts at hatching and sub- 

 sequent discouraging results. Many correspondents ended their letters with the state- 

 ment : ' that this has been the worst year foi early chickens ever known in this part of 

 the country. It seemed almost impossible to have fertile eggs.' And again, ' the num- 

 ber of full grown chicks which were dead in the shell at hatching time was astonishing. 

 They seemed unable to free themselves from the shell. Do you think my incubator 

 is a good oneS' An explanation of the cause and a remedy were generally asked for. 

 In response a copy of report of last year, dealing in a. preliminary way with the same 

 difficulties, was at once forwarded. As to the results from the incubator the opinion 

 was expressed that the probable fault was in the condition of the breeding stock 

 rather than the machine. The statement ' that the experience was the worst ever 

 known in that district ' may be explained by the probability that efforts were made by 

 more people, in the districts heard from, to have early chickens than ever before. The 

 general demand in recent years for information as to the most reliable and easily oper- 

 ated incubators and brooders, and the expressed intention of purchasing them may 

 fairly be taken as an indication that a large number are now in use, and the disappoint- 

 ing results, in connection therewith, may have called attention to obstacles to success 

 which previously existed, but which were not so widely experienced. It is to be 

 hoped that the attention which is now being directed by so many to the subject, apart 

 from our experimental work, may lead to a solution of some, if not all, of the obstacles 

 which at present seem to bar the way to unqualified success. 



With this object in view it is requested of those who engage in the early hatching 

 of chickens, and who meet with the difficulties outlined, to send to our department a 

 description of the obstacles encountered and the suspected cause or causes. 



THE FOOD AND ITS EFFECT. 



It has been stated that past observations lead to the conclusion that next to the 

 long term of artificial life in comparatively limited quarters, the food and its compo- 

 sition and frequency with which it is fed, has the greatest effect on the health of laying 

 stock and vitality of germ. That such is recognized as an important influence is shown 

 by. the frequency with which the influence of the 'mash,' as a part of the daily ration, 

 for good or bad, is discussed by leading breeders. On one hand we have the advocates 

 of the ' dry ' or ' whole grain ' system of feeding, with the usual essentials of green 

 food, grit, &c, and variety in the grains fed as well as manner of feeding. On the 

 other side are those who combine the use of the mash with whole grains and the essen- 

 tials. The contention of the first named is that the use of the mash is attended with 

 injurious. effect. Of the second party, that it is an important and wholesome incentive 

 to the production of eggs in winter. The experience gained in our poultry department, 

 after many years, points to beneficial effects when the mash is judiciously used. The 

 following summary of the experience learned may be useful : — 



1. When fed in too great quantity to one and two-year old hens it is apt to create 

 an over-fat condition. In the case of the latter, if of the heavy breeds, this over-fat 

 condition is likely to be fatal. 



2. If fed in too great quantity as a morning ration it is likely to make the hens 

 disinclined for exercise. 



3. It is decidedly a valuable aid to moulting hens. 



4. It is a convenient form of utilizing much of the farm and farm-house waste. 



5. Where hens have-had a comparatively free run its beneficial effect in egg pro- 

 duction, has been noticeable. , . > 



t5. It is -an- invaluable means of quickly fattening old or young stock, , in a more or 

 less liquid form. ■> . ,, 



