43 



100 hens in the warm house was 5,239, while in the cold 

 house 100 hens laid but 4,136 eggs in the same time, a bal- 

 ance in favor of the warm house flock of 1,103 eggs worth in 

 the local market 24 cents per dozen, or $22.06. It is thus 

 seen that the additional expense for increasing the warmth 

 of the house was a very profitable investment." 



FEEDING FOR WINTER EGGS. 



Readers of the preceding chapter of this book will need 

 no special instruction in the production of winter eggs, but 

 it will do no harm to repeat the substance of what I have 

 said. To get eggs in winter, or, indeed, at any season of the 

 year, it is necessary to feed generously. One cannot get 

 something for nothing, and if one is to get plenty of eggs 

 from 'his hens he must supply them with the raw materials 

 for egg making. "Overcrowding and underfeeding are two 

 serious hindrances to a good egg yield; but underfeeding is 

 by far the more serious hindrance to a profitable winter's 

 work with the layers." So the second great rule for winter 

 eggs is: Give plenty of good wholesome food ,and give 

 variety, if you want winter layers. 



EGG FOODS AND TONICS. 



The question conies up in this connection as to the ex- 

 pediency of using egg foods and tonics where winter eggs 

 are wanted. On the one hand there are some who recommend 

 their use; on the other there are those who unqualifiedly 

 condemn. Theoretically, I suppose, it is better not to use 

 them ; but, actually, they may be used occasionally to good 

 advantage. I suppose it would be better for a man never to 

 overwork, but to consume each day only so much energy as 

 he made. But, as a matter of fact, there come occasions into 

 the life of every busy man when he is compelled to work 

 sixteen or eighteen hours at a stretch, day after day, and 

 draw upon his reserve. Nature allows him to do this, but 

 only on condition that he make up the deficit as soon as he 

 can. Nature is like a bank that allows a good customer oc- 

 casionally to overdraw. It will do no harm to stimulate a 

 healthy, well-grown bird a little when eggs are high ; but to 

 use stimulants and conditions powders habitually is to defeat 

 the very purpose for which they are made they either kill 

 the hen or she becomes immune and no longer responds. 



