158 THE HOME POULTRY BOOK 



DECEMBER 



It is often possible to buy a high-grade breeding 

 male this month at a reasonable price, especially a 

 yearling. 



The hens which remain on the roost last in the 

 morning and go on first at night are not likely to 

 be good layers. Watch your birds at this season. 

 Go into the house at night and feel the crop of each 

 hen. Note those hens whose crops are only half 

 full and test them several nights in succession. If 

 the same condition is found, you will be safe in 

 saying that those hens are not laying. 



Scald the water dishes several times a month, 

 even in mid-Winter. By giving the water warm, 

 you will not have to fill the dishes so often, in freez- 

 ing weather. 



Beware of new corn. You can feed it freely, 

 however, if you first put it in the oven and parch 

 it. The hens will relish it, too, especially if it is 

 fed warm. In fact, warm corn is in the nature of 

 a gentle stimulant, although not of sufficient value 

 to warrant the work of preparing it except in the 

 case of a small flock. 



