POULTRY DIARY 319 
February 
Another cold month, often accompanied by snow. But eggs 
are now coming steadily and the heart of the farmer is made glad. 
Continue to feed plenty of good food and keep up the supply of 
grain as well as soft foods. Turnips and mangolds may be fed 
occasionally now, and the birds will appreciate the change, but 
make certain that the frost does not get near them. Never feed 
any frosted vegetable to fowls. Swedes are generally liked, and 
they are safe to feed after Christmas, Anything of this nature 
assists digestion, and while it helps to cheapen the feed it may 
increase the size of the egg. Ground meat meal or bone meal 
should form a fifth part of the diet. 
The eggs from pens you have mated are now fertile and you 
can set them under a broody hen or place them in the incubator. 
Make sure they are of normal shape and size and not more than 
ten days old. Better still if they are all under a week old. Do not 
set more than ten or twelve eggs under a hen in this cold 
season. Heavy breeds only should be bred during the first two 
months of the year. Early February is the best time to start 
breeding for table poultry. The birds hatched about the last 
week in February grow wonderfully fast and well. 
Thoroughly disinfect and clean out the incubator, making sure 
that the lamp is burning properly and that the wick is all right, 
for the season. 
Any chickens hatched out in February should be allowed out 
on every available opportunity when not too cold, especially 
when the:sun is shining, but care should be taken to prevent them 
getting wet. See that the grass on which they run is cut down 
close to the ground. A covered shed near them will afford 
protection in an emergency. 
See that the male bird is sufficiently fed: some will not feed 
when hens are busy and in that event must be fed separately. 
He should get plenty of oats and a fair quantity of meat 
meal. 
Leghorns and other light breeds should be mated about the 
