CHAP. vi. POULTRY CALENDAR. 1065 



A most important point is to clear off all surplus stock. At this season 

 very few eggs are obtained unless special pains are taken to get them, 

 as the older fowls have not got over their moult. The pullets are the 

 most reliable layers now, but good feeding is particularly necessary for 

 the production of eggs, and a marked increase is always the result of 

 warm food, especially from now until warm weather again sets in. Be 

 sure at all times to keep a plentiful supply of sharp grit and lime or 

 chalk within reach of the fowls. Let the feeding be regular, the 

 ventilation free but not draughty, and the water supply fresh and 

 plentiful. 



NOVEMBER. 



The work of this month is still more easy than that of the last, being 

 confined chiefly to keeping the houses in order, and seeing that the 

 inmates are comfortable. Pay special attention to the birds set aside 

 for fattening, arranging them according to age and condition ; so that 

 they will come in ready for market in a series or successional order. 

 Early spring chickens are perhaps the most remunerative, and those 

 hatched now will come to profit when game is out of season, therefore, 

 those who possess incubators do well by getting some good broods 

 hatched. They will require careful management, but as they pay for it 

 this should not be objected to ; beyond being kept dry, and in a healthy 

 run, there is really very little more trouble in getting them through the 

 winter months than through the spring. A large roomy chicken-house 

 is a good investment. 



DECEMBER. 



The fattening of the birds set aside for the Christmas market must 

 now receive its final attention, so that the birds may be finished off in 

 as plump and saleable a condition as possible. To fatten quickly, the 

 birds should be confined in a comfortable shed, to which very little 

 light is admitted, and the last stage of what may be called extreme 

 fattening should not exceed twelve or fourteen days, over-fattened 

 fowls being liable to inflammation and other complaints. They will do 

 best if placed in fattening-pens or coops where they cannot take much 

 exercise. Their food may be composed chiefly of a thin paste made 

 from ground oats, mixed with soured skim milk and a small quantity of 

 suet or fat. Good clean kitchen stuff, scraps of meat, &c., may be given 

 with advantage to the fowls. Meaty bones will engage their attention 

 for many an hour, and will form, moreover, nutritious food. See to the 

 supply of clean water and of old mortar, egg shells, gravel, or sand, for 

 the fowls to peck at. 



JANUABY. 



Attend to the condition of the houses, the supply of water and other 

 necessaries. Comparatively few hens will be laying now, as a general 

 rule, but much depends upon the breed, and the system of feeding, 

 warm food being especially effective at this season. The great point 

 to be aimed at is to keep the birds in a warm and thoroughly dry house, 

 on regularly administered food calculated to maintain the heat of the 



