CHAPTER XXII 



Breeding Hens During Moult — Coming Breeders 

 Must be Kept Exercising Through This Period 



The hens which are to be breeders and the produc- 

 ers of the hatching eggs for the coming Spring are 

 selected as early in the Fall as possible. The quar- 

 ters into which they are to be moved would have been 

 most carefully cleansed, and then disinfected with 

 Kerosene and Crude Carbolic. After this, fresh, clean 

 litter would be put in, and for these yearling hens we 

 make it a practice to place eight inches of straw on 

 the floor, for they have well learned the lesson of 

 digging in the litter and very rapidly knock the straw 

 to pieces. 



The tendency of a hen during the moult is to be 

 inactive. In many cases she feels far from com- 

 fortable. The growing of her new dress is a process 

 which drains her system of an immense amount of 

 vitality, still she must be made to take a certain 

 amount of exercise, and therefore the litter must be 

 constantly looked after,, and kept in a condition 

 which will compel her to work persistently for her 

 grain ration. 



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