FEEDING PRACTICES AND APPLIANCES 389 



Developing Pullets. — It is not a wise practice to force 

 pullets intended for egg production or breeding. In order 

 to have them mature for winter laying they should be 

 hatched early enough to allow them to reach their proper 

 development normally and without forcing. 



Any deviation from normal development tends to lessen 

 vitality and reproductive powers. If a pullet is to stand 

 up under the strain of being forced for heavy egg production 

 after she begins to lay, or to produce vigorous offspring 

 if she is a breeder, she should have the benefit of a normal 

 development prior to that time. Mairs^ found that chicks 

 forced when young did not make as rapid growth as they 

 approached maturity as those fed a more moderate ration. 



When the cockerels are taken out for forcing and finishing, 

 the pullets should be moved to a grassy range where they 

 can develop unmolested by male birds. The ration should 

 be one to promote health, and calculated to produce sub- 

 stantial growth rather than particularly quick growth. 



It may be entirely hopper fed, though most feeders will 

 prefer to feed out of hand at least once a day in order to 

 keep in touch with the progress of the stock. 



The pullets should be left on range until they are beginning 

 to lay, when they should be moved into their permanent 

 laying quarters. 



Developing Breeding Males. — ^The same principles and 

 practices involved in developing pullets apply to breeding 

 males. They should be kept separate from the pullets from 

 the time they begin to show marked secondary sexual 

 characteristics. The cockerels develop sexually earlier 

 than the pullets do, and, unless they are separated, will 

 worry the pullets to a degree that will seriously interfere 

 with the proper development of the latter. 



Routine in Feeding Layers. — The details of feeding practice, 

 like the constituents of a ration, vary with feeders and 

 conditions. As there is no one best ration, so there is no 

 feeding routine for chickens that is outstanding in its excel- 

 lence. The following practice, which has proved successful 



' Pennsylvania Bulletin No. 87. 



