LAYING. 207 



Undoubtedly much depends on circumstances, as to the pro- 

 ductiveness of hens. Climate has a great influence in this 

 respect ; and the lodging, food, and care which is bestowed 

 upon these animals, have more or less effect in promoting or 

 obstructing their fecundity, 



There seem to be naturally two periods of the year in 

 which fowls lay, early in the spring, and in the summer ; and 

 this fact would seem to indicate that, if they were left to 

 themselves, like wild birds, they would bring forth two broods 

 in a year. The laying of hens continues, with few interrup- 

 tions, till the end of summer, when the natural process of 

 moulting causes them to cease. This process, which is annual, 

 commences about August, and continues through the three fol- 

 lowing months. It is the constitutional effect which attends 

 the beginning, continuance, and consequences of this period, 

 which prevents them from laying. This period is a very crit- 

 ical one, in the case of all feathered animals. Until its very 

 close, when the entire coat of new feathers replaces the old 

 ones, the wasting of the nutritive juices, which are yielded by 

 the blood for the express purpose of promoting this growth, is 

 a great drain upon the system. It is easily understood, there- 

 fore, why the constitutional forces, which would otherwise 

 assist in forming the egg, are rendered inoperative. The 

 approach of cold weather, also, at the close of the moulting 

 period, contributes to produce the same effects. As the season 

 of moulting is every year later, it follows that the older a hen 

 is, the later in the spring she will begin to lay. As pullets, 

 on the contrary, do not moult the first year, they commence 

 laying sooner than the elder hens ; and it is possible, by 

 judicious and careful management, so to arrange, in a collec- 

 tion of poultry tolerably numerous, as to have eggs through- 

 out the year. 



Mr. Dickson makes the following observations in regard to 



