768 Journal of Agriculture. [lo Dec, 1908. 



the bird can only be ascertained by handling; and without the knowledge 

 of her condition as drawn from the actual touch, no external appearance 

 of a hen will correctly indicate whether she is laying or not. 



The want of a simple method of culling out the nondayers from an 

 ordinarily well bred and well-cared for flock has been the cause of much 

 annual loss to poultrvmen. Trap- nests have done much towards culling 

 out these drones ; but these contrivances are not suitable for the practical 

 working of an ordinary farm flock. The periodical handling of the fowls 

 is a much simpler, and almost as effective a method ; and for general egg- 

 farming nothing more is needed. 



Every hen-house should be built and fitted to permit of the stock being 

 easily handled at night-time. Poultry are usually averse to being inter- 

 fered with in anv way in daylight ; but the\- can be looked over at night 

 with little trouble with the aid of a lamp ; and it is policy to accustom 

 them to being so dealt with while they are chickens. In this connexion it 

 is essential that their roosting houses be so constructed that they can be 

 closed at any time; that the roosts be all on the one level, and not more 

 than 3 feet from the ground ; and that the houses are kept clean and free 

 from vermin ; all of which are in accordance with the requirements of 

 practical chicken raising. Fowls generally moult during the late summer 

 or autumn months ; and while thev are growing their fresh coat of feathers 

 egg-production usually ceases. Moulting occupies from six to eight weeks ; 

 and, unless she is hatching or raising chickens, a hen should be engaged in 

 laying throughout the rest of the year. Many hens will take an occasional 

 rest for a week or .so after a long spell of laying; and, unless those rests 

 are prolonged to the pos.sible detriment of the total egg-yield, no notice need 

 be taken of them ; but the hen that does not do something towards paying 

 for her board during any four consecutive weeks — excepting when she is 

 moulting — should be removed from the flock; and either fed to promote 

 laying, or be sold for what she will bring. On the farm, the latter course 

 will be found the most satisfactory way of dealing with non-layers, unless 

 the price obtainable is below their value as table fowls for home u.se, or 

 tht quantity to be dispo.sed of is too large to be thus dealt with. 



This .systematic handling of the flock will be found very useful in 

 many ways. The presence of vermin in the sheds will soon become 

 detected, and their destruction will allow the birds to thrive better. The 

 result of any change of feed, or the necessity for a change, can also easily 

 be noted. Incipient cases of sickness have also better chances of being 

 discovered by such inspections, and with prompt treatment ]os.ses may be 

 prevented. The non-productive hens should be regularly culled from everv 

 fl.ock. By careful observation along the above lines their discovery is 

 easy ; and with their removal poultry-farming speedily becomes more 



profitable. 



Yours, etc., 



J. S. McFADZEAN, 



Dairy Supervisor. 



The Index of Yol. YI. will be supplied with the firct number of 

 Yol. YII., viz.: 11th January, 1909. 



