HOW 1O,GET EGGS IN WINTER  -85 
There are no secrets about the production of win- 
ter eggs. It is just a matter of foresight and care. 
Pullets undoubtedly are the best layers. Hens in 
their second year will lay fairly well, but it is bet- 
ter to start fresh with pullets each season. Hens 
that molt very late will not prove profitable to keep. 
If pullets are hatched too early, they may molt the 
same season, which is not desirable. And yet if 
hatched too late they will not begin laying until 
after the New Year. Leghorns will lay when from 
five to six months old. Some Plymouth Rocks 
commence laying at six months. The other hens 
in the same classes begin laying at about the same 
ages. The larger breeds like the Brahmas require 
more time before producing their first eggs. In or- 
der to make sure of winter eggs, the pullets should 
reach the laying age in October. If they are neg- 
lected during the Summer, they will not lay as early 
as though given good care, which is entirely logical. 
As a rule, hens lay better in flocks of not over 
thirty. And yet, some of the most successful egg 
farmers keep 500 birds together and get satisfactory 
results. Long houses give the fowls plenty of room 
when there are no partitions, which is an advantage. 
The average amateur, however, will not carry more 
