HOW TO GET EGGS IN WINTER 85 



There are no secrets about the production of win- 

 ter eggs. It is just a matter of foresight and care. 

 Pullets undoubtedly are the best layers. Hens in 

 their second year will lay fairly well, but it is bet- 

 ter to start fresh with pullets each season. Hens 

 that molt very late will not prove profitable to keep. 

 If pullets are hatched too early, they may molt the 

 same season, which is not desirable. And yet if 

 hatched too late they will not begin laying until 

 after the New Year. Leghorns will lay when from 

 five to six months old. Some Plymouth Rocks 

 commence laying at six months. The other hens 

 in the same classes begin laying at about the same 

 ages. The larger breeds like the Brahmas require 

 more time before producing their first eggs. In or- 

 der to make sure of winter eggs, the pullets should 

 reach the laying age in October. If they are neg- 

 lected during the Summer, they will not lay as early 

 as though given good care, which is entirely logical. 



As a rule, hens lay better in flocks of not over 

 thirty. And yet, some of the most successful egg 

 farmers keep 500 birds together and get satisfactory 

 results. Long houses give the fowls plenty of room 

 when there are no partitions, which is an advantage. 

 The average amateur, however, will not carry more 



