ic Feb., 1909.] Management of Pullets during Autumn and Winter. 79> 



MANAGEMENT OF PULLETS DURING AUTUMN AND 



WINTER. 



H. V. Hawkins, Poultry Expert. 



Cleaning Pens. — When the cold nights begin to come — about the 

 end of March — it is time to bring the pullets into their winter quarters. 

 They should then begin to show signs of maturity. Prior to penning them,, 

 clean up the pens thoroughly, disinfect the sleeping quarters, renew perches,, 

 close up all crevices and cracks, see that the floor is level, and cover it 

 with sand or gravel ; also place a board under each perch so that the 

 droppings may be easily removed and the floor kept perfectly clean. 



Feeding. — The question of feeding is very important. During the 

 spring and summer the pullets will have had an abundance of green grass^ 

 seeds and insect life. This being so, suitable substitutes must be pro- 

 vided, adding to, rather than reducing, the quantity of animal food they 

 have been accustomed to get in the shape of insects. If skim milk can be 

 obtained at a reasonable price, or is available on the farm, it will be 

 found excellent food. Very often one can secure green bone and scraps 

 of waste meat from the markets at a reasonably low cost. Any of these, 

 provided they are fresh, may be utilized, as well as kitchen scraps. No one 

 should be guilty of feeding decayed meat to poidtry. Good prices for fresh 

 eggs cannot be expected if fowls eat putrified food of any kind. The green 

 food may be supplied in the form of chaffed lucerne, clover, or beets, and a 

 little raw onion ; boiled potatoes may occasionally be added to the morn- 

 ing ration. 



Morning. — I am strongly of opinion that the morning meal should 

 consist largely of pollard, 2 parts (by measure) ; bran, i part ; with i lb. 

 at least of animal food (lightly boiled) to 30 pullets daily. A fair amount 

 of green food should be added and mixed well, and the whole should be 

 thoroughly worked up to a crumbly consistency. 



Should some of the pullets appear backward in their adult feather 

 production, a teaspoonful of linseed per bird in the mash will have bene- 

 ficial effects. 



Evening. — Half an hour before roosting time, give a good handful 

 of mixed wheat, short oats, and crushed maize — equal parts. Scatter the 

 grain in dry litter, and make themi v/ork, as it helps to promote egg, 

 production. 



There is great variety in thus feeding, and as eggs are usuallv worth 

 2d. each in April and May, it pays to pen in small yards, protected from 

 cold bleak winds and provided with comfortable houses. Well-fed pullets 

 so treated will net at least 6s. profit per bird. 



Shell, Grit, and Water. — Ground oyster shell has no equal for the 

 production of firm egg-shells. Each pullet will annually consume 7 lbs. 

 Provide a box with plenty of sharp pieces of grit, such as gravel and 

 broken crockery. The addition of charcoal and crushed burnt bones twice 

 a week will be found beneficial. Keep the water vessel always full ; 

 clean out daily and place in a sheltered spot. 



Nest Boxes. — Encourage the pullets to lay in a secluded corner. 

 Make the nests dark and inviting. Do not allow them to lay in the house. 

 Shun all bad smelling disinfectants, as the eggs, being verv porous, mav 

 easily become tainted ; for example when the nest has been sprinkled with 

 carbolic powder or other similarlv strong deodorizer. 



