10 June, 1919.} Egg-laying Competitions, 1918-19. 



345 



was probably more tlian would have been given by many poultry-keepers. 

 Although it is quite possible to give too much food to birds of the heavy 

 varieties when in full egg-production, it is practically impossible to 

 overfeed active and smart birds of the leghorn and other members of the 

 Mediterraiiean family. After all, the birds are the best judges as to how 

 much food they require, and if the attendant watches closely he will soon 

 be able to regulate the quantity to allot to each pen with a degree of 

 certainty-^just giving as much as they will eat readily. It is essential 

 that the ration should be varied according to climatic and other condi- 

 tions. In cold weather, more food is needed to keep up the temperature 

 of the bird, as well as to provide the necessary constituents for egg and 

 flesh-forming. It is a well-known fact that considerable weight is at- 

 tached by many poultry-breeders to the size and fullness of the crops of 

 layers when they go to roost. If a bird has a large and well-filled crop. 



Mr. J. W. Kichards's Rhode Island Red, placed First in Test for Heavy Breeds 

 other than Orpingtons ( Wet Mash ) , with a total of 243 eggs. 



the indication is that she is in full lay, and has provided herself with a 

 plentiful supply of food for egg-forming, &c. But if the crop is soft, 

 and only partly filled, it denotes that the bird is either " out of sorts " 

 or is an indifferent layer. Of course, this is not an infallible guide, but 

 it is correct in the majority of cases, and may be followed by breeders 

 with good results. 



The system of feeding for the past twelve months was somewhat similar 

 to previous years. The wet mash was composed of 1? parts pollard, 

 I2 parts bran, \ part of oaten pollard, ^ part pea meal, and -g part of 

 meat meal. This was well mixed and moistened with meat isoup or 

 water. About 3 ozs. was allowed to each bird for the morning meal. 

 The dry mash contained 1^ parts pollard, 2 parts bran, i part oaten 

 pollard, ^ part pea meal, and ^ part meat meal, with about 1 per 



