13 



a new, free range about July 1st, and feed but very lightly, not more 

 than one handful of grain to each hen daily. The object is to in- 

 duce the hens to dine largely on grass and water, and stop egg 'product- 

 ion. After being thus treated for from two to three weeks, the hens 

 are again well fed on a good laying ration. In many cases they begin 

 to moult ; and, if fed well, get their new coat of feathers in quicklv, 

 and thereby save time. I have had a few hens which have begun to 

 lay heavily as soon as I have started to feed them well ; but this is 

 not very often the case. 



Hens over two years of age are seldom good layers. Leghorns 

 Minorcas, etc., are sometimes good during their third and fourth j^ears ; 

 but generally speaking, the Rocks and such fowls are of little or no 

 use as layers after the second year, being much inclined to become 

 excessively fat. 



I'or summier egg production the lighter breeds and late-hatched 

 pullets of the heavier breeds ai(} best. Do not expect a hen that has 

 laid well all winter to lay exceptionally well during the summer. A 

 hen that lays early is inclined to show a desire to sit early in the 

 season. The following tables show plainly that esfgs can be produced 

 at a profit during the summer, even where all the grain has to be 

 bought. 



Egg-Production at the O. A. C. in 1901. 



April 22 to May 22nd. Rocks— 13 hens, 1 cock : 



Mixed feed— 17 687 lbs , at .?1.33 per cwt 23 526 cents. 



Bone— 16. 687 lbs., at $1 00 per cwt 16 687 " 



Mash— 32.375 lb*., at gOc. per cwt 29 137 " 



Wheat— 21. 875 lbs., at .?1.13 per cwt 24.71 " 



Milk— 32 lbs., at 10c. per cwt 3.20 " 



Total 97.26 " 



Eggs laid, 16 dozen ; cost per dozen, 6.06 cents. 

 Nearly all Rocks were broody during last week. 



April 22nd to May 22nd. Andaluaians— 13 hens, 1 cock : 



Mixed cracked grain — 14.3 lbs , at $1.33 per cwt 19 61 cents. 



Greenbone— 13 75Ibs., at.$1.00per cwt 18.75 " 



Mash— 35 lbs., at 90c, per cwt 31.50 " 



Wheat— 24 lbs., at 81.33 per cwt., or 68c. per bushel 31.92 " 



Milk— 35 lbs., at 10c. per cwt 3.5 " 



Total 99.68 " 



Eggs laid, 20^ dozen ; cost per dozen, 4.86 cents. 



May 22nd to June 22nd— Barred Rocks: 



Oats— 2 lbs. 8 ozs., at $1.00 per cwt 2.5 cents. 



Bone— 2 lbs., at .Sl.OO per cwt 2. 



Mash- 40 1b9., at 90c. percwt 36. 



Milk— 40 lbs., at 10c, per cwt 4. " 



Wheat— 34.8 lbs., at §1.13 per cwt 39.32 " 



Total 83.82 " 



Eggs laid, 13 dozen and 10 eggs ; cost per dozen, 6.15 cents. 



