The Illustrated Book of Poultry . 
still, which will be killed at moulting time. Thus, every autumn, the hens at two years and 
a half will be killed, and replaced by pullets six months old, which will commence laying 
almost immediately, and be followed in succession by the hens as they moult out, so keeping 
up a regular supply. Late chickens should be either sold or killed for table. 
Even in the many cases where only half a dozen hens are kept for the supply of a 
small family, no other plan will be remunerative. Each autumn two March pullets should 
be bought and two hens killed ; when, if a non-sitting breed be selected, there will be no 
trouble, and an unfailing supply of eggs will be secured. 
W e have already expressed our preference for pure breeds, where possible ; but the cost 
will deter many from obtaining them, and common-bred fowls selected with judgment will 
also yield a good return for their keep. Small, weedy-looking birds should always be rejected, 
and those which show signs of good parentage and good feeding be alone chosen. Any fowls 
which have been starved while growing will never lay well in after life. The kind known as 
“ Cuckoo ” fowls (resembling the Plymouth Rock) almost always lay well, and so do most birds 
having much black in the plumage. Again, as a rule it will be found that yellow or black- 
legged birds are generally good layers ; but white-legged birds are mostly inferior, though 
excellent for the table. By attending to these particulars, and ascertaining carefully the date 
of hatching, very excellent and profitable stock may be secured by an outlay of only a few 
shillings. 
