The Molting of Fowls. 



385 



fowl, the longer it takes the 

 feathers to grow in again. 

 Have seen a fowl picked in 

 May and be in full feather in 

 August, the small featliers 

 growing first, then the wing 

 and then tail feathers, and 

 then I have seen others picked 

 and all the feathers but the tail 

 come in and that did not come 

 in until the last of October. 

 We often molt the crest of the 

 Polish and they would come 

 in perfect in three months. 

 And then I have seen a Light 

 Brahma molted in August and 

 in four weeks have a perfect 

 plumage." — M. M. Davenport. 



"When feathers get broken, 

 if removed, six weeks will iully 

 replace. If a tail gets smashed, 

 remove all, in four weeks it 

 will look well, in six weeks be 

 perfect. When in full molt 

 and all feathers are growing at 

 same time, 8 weeks is as short 

 time as perfection will be 

 reached. But single, broken 

 feathers, 5 to 6 weeks will re- 

 place them. In preparing for 

 exhibition, if five weeks before, 

 all broken feathers and mate 

 feathers to broken ones are re- 

 moved they will come out even 

 and look fine." — I. K. Felch. 



("Mate feathers" are feathers 

 in similar position in the same 

 section on opposite sides of the 

 fowl.) 



"During the fall and early 

 winter when the weather is 

 favorable for their growth, a 

 main tail, sickle, primary or 

 secondary feather will mature 

 in six weeks. The hackle and 

 saddle require at least eight 

 weeks." — D. J. Lambert. 



"I have pulled the tails of 

 Cochin females and have had 

 them grow so that the points 



13 





