RUG PRODI cTION IH'RIXIi Mol.T 7;"> 



apples are great iiiils to the digestion ami proper H^siiuiUttion of the other 

 foods. 



The bird- should not be compelled to expend too lmieli energy in ex- 

 ercise at this time. Thai molting hen- are often fed the wrong kinds of 

 food is shown by the overfat condition that so often accompanies and 

 follows the moll. 



The different behavior of individual hens fed the same nil ion and kept 

 in the same flock seems to -bow thai molting, as well as egg production 

 and oilier functions, is largely influenced by individual tendencies. 

 Some individuals drop their feathers so rapidly that they become almost 

 naked in a short time while others molt so gradually that only close in- 

 spection, or the brighter appearance of the new feathers, -hows that 

 molting is in progress. With one bird egg production ceases at, or near, 

 the beginning of molt and is not resumed until the new feathers are 

 fully grown: while others keep fully clothed and lay freely during the 

 entire period. I have noted these differences in one flock of the same 

 breed, same age and, of course, receiving the same ration. 



As an example of steady laying throughout the entire year I will take 

 a Wyandotte hen of my own. I will give her egg-record by months to 

 show how little effect certain conditions appeared to have upon subse- 

 quent laying. During the year 191)1 this bird laid as follows: January, 

 I'.l egg's; February, !> eggs: (broody and broken up.) March. 20 eggs: 

 April, Hi eggs; May. 11 eggs: (broody and broken.) .June, IS eggs: 

 (broody and broken.) .Inly, 12 eggs: (broody and broken.) Aug. l:> 

 eggs: (broody and broken.) Sept. Hi eggs: (broody and broken, molt- 

 ing.) Oct. 11 eggs: (broody and broken, molting.) Nov. Ill eggs; Dec. 

 1!) eggs. Summary: Total Xo. eggs laid. 1«H. Broody and broken 7 

 limes. Molting observed only two months. This is an exceptional hen. 

 but the data given above I personally know to be correct. This record 

 was made under conditions that must have been very unfavorable at times 

 and that is what emphasizes a performance that would be in no degree 

 remarkable, T believe, under the best of conditions. On the coldest 

 winter days warm water placed in the pail in the morning froze before 

 noon. The droppings froze on the platforms. But little vegetable food 

 was supplied as we did not have it. At this writing that hen is on her 

 24th consecutive month of laying. Pretty close to a continuous per- 

 formance for a bird that .became broody seven times in one year. 



I have, had many hens lay during the greater part of their mojt. and quite 

 a number that laid well entirely through it with no loss of vigor that I 

 could determine. 1 never try to force laying at this time but endeavor 

 to feed suitable food to assist the growth of feathers and maintain the 

 bird in good health and flesh without fattening. 



Kven when not so carefully fed I have found that individuals of a 

 persistent laying habit are likely to lay well into, or entirely through 



