WINTER EGGS 171 
The plan frequently followed of feeding with any grain or meal 
available, regardless of quality or constituent elements, and 
without consideration as to position, nature of the soil, or other 
natural conditions, cannot promote the production of eggs in 
winter. Unless hens are suitably fed they will. not under ordinary 
conditions come into profit until the regular season, which is in the 
spring months. 
** An important factor to which sufficient attention has not been 
paid hitherto is the bodily condition of the hens. To meet the 
demand upon the system in the colder months of the year, non- 
migratory birds are provided with fatty reserves, and until these 
are exhausted the ovaries are inactive. It is well known that 
fowls are naturally heaviest at the end of the summer, and that 
they are in their leanest condition at the commencement of the 
breeding season. To promote winter laying, therefore, the surplus 
fat must be got rid of. This can be attained (1) by feeding upon 
limited rations rich in albuminoids but poor in carbohydrates and 
especially fat ; and (2) by compelling the birds to exercise their 
bodies to the fullest extent. In corn-growing districts where the 
birds are at liberty to roam the stubbles, no food need be supplied 
for three or four weeks after harvest. In fact, there is frequently 
at that time more natural food available than can be consumed by 
a moderate-sized flock of hens, but the exercise obtained in finding 
such food compensates for any excess. Where the land is pasture, 
the hens will only need one feed per diem. This should consist 
of grain, such as small wheat and barley, and should be given in 
the evening. At this season, however, the greatest care should be 
taken to compel consumption of the fatty reserves by the methods 
stated, and thus bring the birds into such a condition as will be 
conducive to egg-production. To promote early moulting in 
yearling hens, an excellent plan during August and September is 
to add twice a week to the soft food about 20 per cent. of linseed, 
which has been simmered until it is in the form of a jelly, and to 
give in each quart of drinking water a teaspoonful of sulphate 
of iron. Unless moulting takes place early, laying will be 
delayed. But where the hens are of a sitting breed nothing 
