60 DOMINION EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 



The largely increased production, together with the con- 

 stant upward tendency in prices in spite of the rapidly diminishing 

 volume of exports, is conclusive evidence of the expansion of the 

 home demand. 



In consequence, there was a general desire on the part of 

 poultry-keepers to hatch out early pullets so as to have fall or 

 early winter layers. But an unforeseen obstacle to this laud- 

 able end presented itself in the shape of weak germs in eggs 

 laid during the early spring, A satisfactory percentage of 

 strong chickens which would live was exceptional. This led 

 to close investigation into methods of housing, feeding and 

 management. Eventually, the conclusion was arrived at that 

 the long term of living under artificial conditions, to which the 

 hens were subjected during the winter months, was a prime 

 cause. Carefully-conducted experiments showed plainly that it 

 was not until the hens had had an opportunity to run outside after 

 the disappearance of the snow in spring (usually about the end 

 of March) that the fowls recovered their lost vitality and the 

 germs of the eggs became strong. Comparisons between fowls 

 kept in partially-warmed houses and those in open and un- 

 heated buildings, where the air, although cold, was dry and 

 always fresh, were altogether in favour of the latter system. 



This led to a revolution in methods of housing and manner 

 of feeding. The bottled-up plan of house, where the entrance 

 of cold air was carefully guarded against, gave way to the open 

 front and the cotton front styles. Both of these plans of housing 

 became popular and were quickly succeeded by the colony, or 

 entirely open style of house. These different systems, with 

 improvements, are extant to this day, and have been found 

 conducive to health of fowls, egg production and strength of 

 germs in spring. The cold, or open front, system of housing 

 led to a radical change in the method of feeding. The mash, 

 or moist, method gave place to the dry, or hopper, system. 



Poultry houses of the cotton front and Tolman, or open 

 front, styles are on trial in the Poultry Division at present. 

 Their location is shown on the plan of the poultry buildings 

 and grounds, to be found on another page. 



Experimental work of the past twenty-three years has led 

 to the following conclusions, namely: — 



Variety in rations is necessary to successful egg production 

 during winter. 



Where there is variety in rations, there is not likely to be 

 egg-eating or feather-picking. 



With proper treatment, hens may be induced to moult in 

 summer. 



The house with cotton front is conducive to health of 

 the birds and egg production. 



