POULTRY RAISING CHICKENS 297 



Molting. 



If the hens are to go into the winter in the best laying condition, they must 

 molt early so that their new plumage will be grown before cold weather begins. 

 Henry Van Dreser is the originator of the method for encouraging fowls to 

 molt early. This method consists in feeding the hens very lightly for about two 

 weeks to stop egg production and reduce their weight, and then feeding them 

 heavily on feed suitable for the formation of feathers. This causes the hens 

 to molt more rapidly and more uniformly and they enter the winter egg laying 

 season in better condition than fowls fed continually during the molting period 

 on an egg ration. The fowls should receive more nitrogeneous matter during 

 the molting period whether the Van Dreser method is employed or not. The 

 addition of linseed meal and more animal feed to the ration will assist in the 

 production of a new coat of feathers. 



RAISING CHICKENS. 

 (Including Valuable Suggestions on Using an Incubator and Brooder.) 



Selection and Care of Breeding Stock. It is necessary to have healthy, 

 vigorous breeding stock to be successful in raising chickens. Put only the most 

 vigorous and best grown birds into the breeding yards. Have each bird free 

 from any serious deformity and full of life and energy. No bird should be used 

 for breeding purposes that does not have a perfect record for health, neither 

 should one be used that does not have good digestive powers, as they are likely 

 to transmit these weak tendencies to their offspring. Chicks hatched from eggs 

 of puny stock seldom get beyond their infancy, and when they do they amount 

 to very little. Pullets are not usually as good for breeders as the year old hens, 

 because they lay more eggs during the early winter and use up their vitality before 

 the breeding season. One can often advantageously retain vigorous hens two 

 to four years old in the breeding yard. In fact, hens are usually better than 

 pullets for breeding purposes because they lay bigger eggs, and, since they do 

 not lay as many eggs as the pullets during the fall and winter, they should be 

 in better physical condition in the spring than pullets to give strong, vigorous, 

 good-sized chicks. Choose a male bird that is young and active. The rule is 

 to breed older males to younger females and vice versa. An early hatched 

 cockerel that is well developed is generally satisfactory, or a two-year-old cock, 

 or a good vigorous yearling may be chosen. Give the hens used for breeding 

 purposes the best care possible, provide them with large runs and do not force 

 them for heavy egg production during the early winter. This lowers their 

 vitality and they will not be as good for breeding purposes. The hens should 

 not be too fat, for fat hens as a rule will not lay many fertile eggs and chicks 

 hatched from their eggs are usually weak. Do not let them get lousy. Use 

 your lice powders freely. Provide a dusting bath in a dry place. 



If breeders are confined, feed them a varied supply of meat, grains and 

 green feeds and give them plenty of fresh air. The green feed helps to keep 

 the fowls in good breeding condition. Free range is usually better than con- 

 finement in the production of hatchable eggs, as it is easier to keep up the vitality 



