EGG PRODUCTION 147 



tion demands protein which must not be fed too 

 sparingly. It is superior, as a general rule, to have 

 the fowls somewhat too fat than poor or even in 

 merely good condition. By proper management, 

 many good laying hens will lay an occasional egg 

 even while going through the molting, but this is 

 not general. 



Pullets can be fed more highly than hens during 

 the early fall months, because they already have 

 their feathers and are still growing. At this time, 

 they need abundant protein, because they are not 

 only growing in flesh but are filling out their bones 

 and either preparing for, or actually laying. 



A pullet is by no means fully matured when she 

 starts to lay. It needs ample food to com- 

 plete its development. For best results, how- 

 ever, pullets, should not be unduly forced to begin 

 laying early. Indeed, it is often disadvantageous 

 to delay laying somewhat by frequently changing 

 the pullets' quarters. This is the only method that 

 can be practiced with safety. It will not do to 

 withhold food. This statement has special applica- 

 tion to the temperature, for as the weather grows 

 colder, larger and larger quantities of feed, es- 

 pecially all the carbonaceous kinds, is used to main- 

 tain the heat of the body. For this reason corn 

 should be given more liberally, and kale, cabbage, 

 alfalfa, clover, etc., should be given without stint. 



By proper management, egg production may con- 

 tinue without interruption during even extremely 

 cold weather, but, in order to maintain the flow of 

 eggs, the hens must be protected as indicated else- 

 where, against sudden change. Properly housed 

 fowls will usually lay well no matter what the char- 

 acter of weather, provided the poultryman is deft 



