EGG PRODUCTION 145 



that begin to lay in the fall are naturally poor 

 layers and soon play out. The sooner such fowls 

 are taken out of the flock, the better. They should 

 not be used for breeding. An important thing to 

 remember in rearing fowls for winter laying is to 

 have the pullets mature between September and 

 November. This can be determined by the date 

 of hatching and by the method of rearing. The 

 Asiatic breeds require much longer than the 

 Mediterranean classes. 



The American fowls hatched between late March 

 and early May will usually begin laying during 

 October, provided they are properly managed, but 

 too much confidence must not be placed in this 

 statement, because hens differ so much individually 

 and also because methods of management vary 

 greatly. The only thing that can be said definitely 

 on this point is that such calculation helps in the 

 long run and it is better to have some system that 

 embraces as many helpful features as possible, than 

 to have no system at all. It must be remembered 

 that the winter is not the season which is favorable 

 to egg production. Therefore, the poultry raiser 

 has to contend with unfavorable conditions, es- 

 pecially the condition of cold and wet, to say 

 nothing of the natural tendency. 



MANAGEMENT OF LAYING STOCK 



So far as egg laying is concerned, the egg farmer's 

 year begins in October. Of course, circumstances 

 may alter cases, but this is the usual time. Every- 

 thing should then be put in readiness for egg pro- 

 duction. The pullets and hens should be placed 

 in their permanent winter quarters and special care 



