72 POULTRY 
Of course, the birds should be weighed at the 
same time of day. It is immaterial what time 
is selected. 
How the Weights Should Run. The 
pullets, for a short time after housing, should 
gain in weight. After that there should be 
no appreciable drop in weight throughout the 
whole winter season until after the incuba- 
tion period is over. If there is a drop in 
weight the quantity of scratch feed should be 
increased. Presently, the natural sequence 
will follow—that is, the egg production will 
fall off and body weight will increase. 
Standards of Egg Production. A rea- 
sonable standard of egg production will run 
as follows: Through September, 20 per cent; 
October, 30 per cent; November and De- 
cember, 35 to 40 per cent; January, 40 to 45 
per cent; then the production may be allowed 
to go to 50 or above during February, March, 
and April, without materially causing the 
birds to lose flesh and without at all impair- 
ing their production of vigorous hatchable 
eggs. 
Amount of Scratch Feed Required. 
The amount of scratch feed that will be 
