38 THE PRACTICAL POULTRY KEEPER. 



be already laying, or will commence almost immediately; 

 and if properly managed will ensure a constant supply of 

 eggs until the autumnal moulting season.* Whenever a 

 hen shows any desire to sit, the propensity must be checked 

 by placing her under a coop on hard ground, frith water, 

 but rather scanty food, keeping her in summer, however, 

 sheltered from the sun. But it is much better to avoid all 

 this by keeping only a non-sitting breed, such as one of the 

 Spanish, Leghorn, Hamburgh, or French varieties. Ham- 

 burghs should not be kept in only a confined shed. 



To buy only young and healthy birds is very important. 

 An experienced hand can tell an old fowl at a glance, but it 

 is rather difficult to impart this knowledge to a beginner, 

 for no one sign is infallible. In general, however, it may be 

 said that the legs of the young hen look delicate and 

 smooth, her comb and wattles soft and fresh, and her 

 general outline, even in good condition (unless fattened for 

 the table), rather light and graceful ; whilst an old one will 

 have rather hard, horny-looking shanks, her comb and 

 wattles look somewhat harder, drier, and more " scurfy," 

 and her figure is well filled out. 



Attempt should also be made to secure birds of a really 

 good laying family or strain, for each breed differs much in 

 individuals. Good laying is now beginning to be bred for 

 as much as fancy points ; and such birds, or eggs from them, 

 are now advertised in the principal poultry papers. Perhaps 

 their somewhat higher price may be an objection for a small 

 family stock, however ; and to a large extent good layers 

 can be selected even by " eye." They will usually have 



* It is as well, and often better, to start with April pullets purchased 

 about October. Our only reason for not recommending this so much to 

 the absolute beginner, is that he may get into the habit of attending to the 

 fowls before the winter comes on, when it might be felt more of a tax if 

 confronted all of a sudden. 



