CARE OF PULLETS 331 



laying year — the pullet year, providing, of course, all conditions 

 are equal and as they should be. Therefore, under favorable 

 conditions the pullet is the most profitable bird on the farm ; and 

 as such she is deserving of special care and attention.* 



We are enjoined to get our hatches out early, in time to have 

 pullets mature as autumn layers; but it is well to remember 

 that age is not the only important consideration. While it is 

 necessary to hatch chicks early to get mature pullets before cold 

 weather sets in, especially among the heavier breeds, the feeding 

 and general care of the growing stock have much to do with the 

 flock's start as layers. 



To be fitted for laying a pullet must be in full flesh, of normal 

 size, with a fair amount of surplus fat, and these conditions are 

 obtained only by an abundance of food of the right sort. See 

 special chapters on feeding. 



The pens from which the old stock has been removed should 

 be carefully cleaned, sprayed or whitewashed before the pullets 

 are turned into them; the yards should be plowed or spaded 

 under, and if possible sown to green food to sweeten them. In 

 short, everything must be made as fresh and comfortable as 

 possible for the new tenants. Cleanliness and roominess tend 

 to keep the growing pullets healthy and vigorous, which are 

 essential to egg production. 



The young stock should be kept growing steadily, yet it is a 

 mistake to force pullets too rapidly. If their egg-producing 

 organs are developed into a state of production in advance of 

 their bodies having attained full growth, they will lay under- 

 sized eggs, or they may lay a few eggs and then enter a molt, 

 which will postpone further egg production until late in the 

 winter. By no means force pullets by excessive feeding of highly 

 concentrated animal protein foods. 



Transfer Pullets Early. — Many poultrymen make the mistake 

 of allowing their pullets to remain on the range, in colony houses, 

 too far into the fall, sometimes until the birds are ready to lay. 

 The error in this practice is this : Chickens are creature^ of habit, 

 and nothing disturbs them more than changing their accommo- 



