12 1 BREEDING AN'D r.XHI BITIOX OF PlilZK POULTRY. 



shelter is at command. Incubators and artificial mothers are 

 great helps at this season, enabling the fancier to use any eggs 

 he may be fortunate enough to get. 



For early eggs the breeding birds ought to be put together 

 early in December, and it is ruinous to exhibit them after- 

 wards. Mating should be decided upon carefully, and then 

 not altered if possible; for many cocks turn very sulky if 

 separated from mates they have really become attached to, 

 Brood cocks at this early season often require attention. 

 Gallant birds very often do not eat nearly their share while 

 with the hens, and such would become very poor. They should 

 be constantly felt whilst on the perch, and if at all poor should 

 have extra food by themselves. Attention to this point has a 

 great deal to do with the fertility of early eggs. 



As eggs are often purchased for hatching, it is necessary to 

 allude to the frequent disappointments experienced in this 

 respect, and which are far too frequently attributed, in no 

 measured terms, to fraud on the part of the seller. Now we 

 certainly cannot deny that such fraud is occasionally practised. 

 We knew of one case where the fact was put beyond a doubt 

 by examination, proving that the eggs purchased from a well- 

 known exhibitor were actually boiled ; but we are quite sure 

 that the great majority of breeders would scorn such proceed- 

 ings. It should be remembered, in the first place, that highly- 

 bred birds are seldom so prolific as more ordinary stock, and 

 are generally rather too fat for full health and vigour. Too 

 many eggs the full dozen are likewise very often set at 

 seasons when the hen cannot give them heat enough ; so that 

 all get chilled in turn, and disappointment ensues. Bad 

 packing also causes its share of failures ; and, lastly, eggs are 

 sometimes kept a week or fortnight after receipt before 

 setting, which is always, but especially after a railway journey, 

 most injurious. We can only recommend 1. That a hen be 

 ready for the eggs before they are ordered. 2. That they be 



