46 A REVOLUTION IN EGG PRODUCTION 



time. Broilers die off faster than mature fowls from various 

 causes. 



When raising a flock of layers, the poultryman will get 

 some relief in his expense account when the cockerels and the 

 cull pullets are sold. Leghorn cockerels will weigh from one 

 to one and a half pounds at ten weeks of age. 



Whether the cockerels are sold, or not, they should be 

 separated from the pullets when they are from six to seven 

 weeks old. This separation will give the pullets a better 

 opportunity for development. Leghorn cockerels mature early 

 and are very precocious — we have had them crowing under six 

 weeks of age. Both the pullets and the cockerels will develop 

 faster when separated. 



For the reasons given, the egg poultryman will get his 

 eggs first, and will endeavor to sell his meat by-product for 

 as much, after taking his profits, as he could have realized 

 from his birds at maturity. 



The figures in this chapter are, of course, only estimates. 

 In actual practice better results may be obtained. Figuring 

 and estimating to be safe must take account of risks and losses ; 

 and these probable losses and risks should be discounted be- 

 fore the start — then, if any of them are escaped, so much the 

 better. 



Yards and Exercise. 



The space devoted to yards, or runs, for the poultry will 

 depend to a great extent on the amount of space available. 

 The poultryman on the city or suburban lot is necessarily lim- 

 ited in his yard space. 



To the poultryman with unlimited ground, the amount 

 of yard or run space will vary, according to his judgment and 

 available funds for fencing, etc. The suburbanite need not be 

 discouraged by his restriction in space, for, if a small plot is 

 taken care of, and his flock has all the necessary food elements 

 supplied to them, he very often will find his production aver- 

 age, or percentage, far exceeding that of the poultryman with 

 unlimited space. 



Small yards should be spaded up occasionally, and should 

 be limed at intervals of a few months, to keep them in a safe 

 and sanitary condition. This spading will be the more neces- 



