999 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 105 



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QUESTION How soon should pullets begin to lay? 



ANSWER It depends to some extent upon the breed, and very 

 largely upon the care and feeding from hatching time till maturity. 

 Under the most favorable conditions pullets should begin to lay at 

 about 8 months of age. 



QUESTION Will oyster shells serve the purpose of grit? 

 ANSWER It is a very poor substitute. The hard, flinty shell 

 sometimes found does fairly well, but the average shell is too soft. 



QUESTION What is the best tree to plant in the poultry yard? 



ANSWER Plum trees are considered the best. They are of 

 quick growth, and conditions in the poultry yard seem to be favor- 

 able to them. 



QUESTION How deep should the litter be in the scratching 

 quarters ? 



ANSWER About 6 inches when first put in. 



QUESTION Are ashes suitable for the dust box for fowls? 



ANSWER Clean, loamy road dust is the best. Coal ashes are 

 not good and wood ashes are postively harmful. They become damp 

 and form a sort of Ive. 



QUESTION How can the egg-eating habit in hens be cured? 



ANSWER Fowls that have contracted this habit should be re- 

 moved from the remainder of the flock. There are numerous so- 

 called cures, but only one that is reasonably sure. Catch the guilty 

 bird and pare the end of the upper beak with a sharp knife till it 

 shows signs of bleeding. Release it and place one or more china 

 eggs where it can be within constant reach of them. The beak will 

 be very tender, and striking at the eggs will cause great pain. Gen- 

 erally the habit is broken before the beak grows out again. If not 

 pare it the second time. Feed grain and mash food from a trough 

 while the beak is tender. 



QUESTION Which is the most profitable supplying eggs for 

 market or raising chickens for market? 



ANSWER -In choosing one or the other branch most people 

 would do well to supply the egg trade, but both branches should 

 be combined with the greatest attention given to egg farming. 

 Even on an exclusive egg farm there are always surplus cockerels 

 for sale, as broilers, and a certain proportion of the laying hens are 

 replaced each season by the pullets. The amount of stock necessary 

 to be disposed of may be increased considerably with little extra 

 effort, and will add greatly to the profit. 



