THE FORCED MOLT 



99 



abundant vigor from their free life in the open air. A^ 

 this point they were returned to the yards and fed heavily 

 of food containing rather more carbonaceous material than 

 usually is found in rations prescribed for laying fowls. 

 This heavy feeding, with little exercise, induced a rapid 

 shedding of the feathers and often in two weeks the dis- 

 carding process was practically, complete. This done, a 

 strengthening, feather-building ration was furnished, in- 

 cluding bone-forming foods for the bony structure of the 

 feather, sufficient fat or canbonaceous material to main- 

 tain the heat or energy of the body and protein for the sup- 

 port of the muscles and tissues. More exercise was given, 

 a run of considerable area provided with sufficient shade 

 being preferred. Of course, other conditions were favorable. 

 All sorts of vermin were kept down and the fowls were made 

 comfortable by conditions conducive to health. 



This procedure made comparatively short work of the 

 mdlting season and in two months from the time of turning 

 the fowls loose on the range, they appeared with a brand 

 new coat of feathers and with healthy, vigorous bodies. 

 If, then, the process began the first of August, the fowls 

 were ready for business the first of October and laying well 

 one month after. This plan, with slight variations, is, 

 in use today on numerous large and small egg plants the 

 country over and enables the paultryman to secure a heavy 

 egg yield from his yearling and two-years-old hens at a time 

 when eggs are money, and a time when otherwise the hens 

 would be in full molt, or just recovering, and absolutely un- 

 productive. 



