POULTRY SECRETS REVEALED 83 



See that the breeders have plenty of green stuff, and get them out 

 of doors whenever you can. 



Make them exercise. You will get no fertile eggs from drones. 



EGGS IN WINTER. 



The secret of getting eggs in winter depends upon three things: 

 The right strain, the right hatching, the right care. 



Winter laying is unnatural. Hens must be bred to it. This is not 

 as difficult as it seems. The Leghorn is not considered the best of 

 winter layers. Yet a pen of four exhibition Buffs, bred by P. A. 

 Tecktonius, of Racine, Wis., laid in our test pen as high as 22 eggs in 

 seven days in February. Since Leghorns can be bred to such winter 

 laying, the heavier varieties may surely do as well or better. 



How is it done? Well, here is the secret: Hatch your birds so 

 that the pullets may begin laying late in the autumn. As chicks keep 

 them growing every minute. Stuff them daily. Don't let them begin 

 laying too early! 



I have made the last rule emphatic. A pullet that begins laying 

 too early is apt to "soldier" in December and January when eggs are 

 highest in price. 



Keep the pullets busy. Don't allow any old hens nor males to 

 hector them. Feed them to the limit with the right kind of food — and 

 you will get the eggs. 



BREEDING EXHIBITION BIRDS. 



Like produces like — as a rule; but there are exceptions. One 

 exception, as noted, is that of the Barred Plymouth Rocks, when shown 

 in mated pens. Such a pen would not breed winners. You must double 



