52 POULTRY 
scratch feed and half mash, as was done pre- 
viously, the quantity of scratch feed should 
be materially increased, so that the pullets 
are getting at least two times as much scratch 
feed by weight as mash. This is done be- 
cause the body-maintenance or fat-forming 
ingredients are in the scratch feed and it is 
desired to push along the body development. 
The pullets should be induced to eat all the 
scratch feed they will eat without leaving 
any on the ground. 
It is not difficult to tell when the pullets 
are ready to lay. They will begin to show 
the matronlylike appearance of a hen, their 
comb and wattles will begin to redden and 
develop, they begin to sing, and they become 
very tame. 
Directions for the housing and manage- 
ment of pullets in winter quarters will be 
given in the chapter on Management. 
