614 



Winter Egg Production. 



[Oct., 



vided management in other directions is satisfactory. Houses 

 and shelters could be repaired, cleansed and disinfected before 

 the birds are placed in their winter quarters, and if still on range 

 or on the chicken-rearing ground, they should be settled in these 

 quarters by the end of September; indeed, the early part of that 

 month is generally the most suitable time. The fowls become 

 accustomed to the new conditions, and run less risk of being 

 upset by a change made after they have begun to lay. 



The birds should always be gently treated. Careful 

 handling, quiet movement in tending, and avoidance of any 

 usage that will frighten them should always be the aim of the 

 attendant. 



During bad weather, the proper exercise and occupation of 

 birds under shelter is promoted by throwing grain among the 

 dry litter on the floor of the shed. If no shelter be available 

 and the birds have the benefit of a wider range, rough litter 

 should be placed on one spot in the open with the same object 

 in view, and grain thrown into it to encourage scratching. This, 

 is to be recommended, inasmuch as birds, even upon wide 

 range during the winter months, frequently find little induce- 

 ment in the shape of insect life or any natural food to tempt 

 them far from their house, and, failing occupation, they return 

 to the roost and mope on the perches. In this connection, it is 

 necessary to call attention to a frequent mistake of the novice 

 who, in his eagerness to keep the birds busy, over-does the exer- 

 cise by hiding too effectively the grain or burying it in material 

 too heavy to be turned over easily. 



The question of food is particularly important. There is little 

 risk of over-feeding where the diet is properly chosen. If the 

 bird is so placed that no facilities exist for obtaining supplies 

 from natural sources, greater skill is called for, but in any case 

 Nature's supplies in the winter months are too scanty to provide 

 material for egg production. This must be made good by extra 

 attention to feeding. 



Poultry keepers in the past looked upon grain and the products 

 of grain as of the first, and sometimes of the only, importance. 

 This question is now better understood, and the use of animal 

 matter, meat or fish offals, blood, or meals prepared from these, 

 is now known to be a necessity for winter egg production where 

 insect life is absent. Vegetable food is of equal importance, and 

 frequently part of the money which is spent upon grain would 

 be far better invested in green food. Any kind of vegetable is 

 valuable ; turnips, swedes or occasional mangolds will answer in 



