WAR-TIME FOREWORD xi 



less there is a large number. It is well to remember 

 that canned chicken can be sold as easily as fresh- 

 killed chickens, in case one has more than is needed 

 for his own use. 



Laying hens of American breeds can be kept 

 through their second year This means, of course, 

 that they will go through one moulting. Some 

 poultry keepers recommend keeping pullets only, 

 and that may be a wise plan under ordinary con- 

 ditions. Just now, though, when there is a decided 

 shortage of laying hens, all good layers should be 

 retained for two years. It is a waste of grain to 

 keep them longer than that unless they belong to 

 the smaller breeds. Leghorns often pay their way 

 and more when kept through the third year. 



Though all this is true in a general way, it may 

 be advisable to kill off pullets which moult early — 

 that is to say, in July and August. The early 

 moulters are usually poor layers. On the other 

 hand, the pullets which do not moult until October 

 or November are to be retained by all means, even 

 though they cease laying for a time. They will 

 produce a large number of eggs the next year, and 

 should be selected when making up breeding pens. 



Every flock of hens is pretty certain to contain 

 a number of slackers. They, of course, are kept 



