A REN'OLUTION IN EGG PRODUCTION 51 



constitutions and vitality. The losses from debility, at this 

 critical time, will exceed those at any other season of the 

 year. 



It can be noticed that, even in vigorous stocks of young- 

 chickens, perceptible and rapid growth does not seem to start 

 until the birds complete their first coat of feathers, to replace 

 the downy feathers they have when hatched. 



Liberal feeding should be resorted to during the moult, 

 and, as the natural supply of animal food in the shape of 

 worms, bugs, etc., is much less than early in the season, this 

 should be supplemented by a more liberal allowance of animal 

 food in the shape of beef scraps, green cut bone, ground fish 

 bone, etc. 



Farm poultry generally quit laying at this time of the 

 year, and lay off until spring. Fowls which are liberally fed, 

 on a well balanced ration, will continue to lay while shedding 

 their feathers ; but nearly every hen will stop laying for a 

 longer or shorter period, while growing her new feathers. 



Early pullets, if properly matured, will have commenced 

 laying by this time, and will help to keep up the regular 

 supply of eggs. 



If the hens get completely through the moult, they will 

 start to lay again and will lay rnore or less throughout the 

 winter under proper care, and with extra liberal feeding. 



Summer conditions (or spring and earl}^ summer condi- 

 tions ) are what have been preached at us by the poultry press 

 for many years. These conditions have been stated as variety 

 of feed, green feed in abundance and in a succulent state, and 

 animal food. We cannot, however, supply the climatic condi- 

 tions without heating arrangements, and nearly all attempts at 

 keeping matured fowls in heated houses have proved failures, 

 on account of their debilitating effects. 



AVe must overcome this difference in temperature by extra 

 liberal feeding, if we are going to obtain results in eggs. It 

 is going to cost money to keep a flock of hens over winter; 

 and if we feed only enough to keep a hen in good condition, 

 we are out that amount of money. Many flocks remain on 

 the verge of laying all winter but do not start to lay until 

 spring, because of the short sighted policy of their owners 

 in furnishing just enough feed to keep them in good condition. 



