PULLETS FOR LAYERS. 
two years. If we refer again to table 1, we see 
that the average value of the eggs produced per 
fowl of old hens was 78 cents. Their food cost 
57^ cents, leaving only 20 cents profit on food. 
With a thousand such hens there would be left 
only $200 to pay for labor and interest on in¬ 
vestment, as against $1,160 in the case of pullets 
and $760 for one-year-old hens. 
In the above I have given the data obtained 
in a two years’ experiment. The results may 
be modified in further experiments. They are 
being continued at the Station and the third 
year will be completed in November. 
All pens were fed alike, except as to quantity. 
A mash composed of two parts bran and shorts 
and one part each of chopped corn and oats, was 
fed in the morning. About 10 o’clock a little 
grain was fed. Three times a week cut bones 
were fed. Cabbages were fed until about the 
first of March, after which, and until green grass 
could be secured, lucerne leaves were fed dry. 
This was scattered in the pens. During the 
summer green grass was thrown into the pens. 
No stimulating food was fed, except a little 
cayenne pepper in the morning mash. Salt was 
also used in the mash. During the winter coal 
ashes were kept before the fowls, also a little 
gravel. No oyster shells were fed until the 
middle of the summer. 
Though it is not a part of my subject, it may 
be mentioned incidentally that this experiment 
involved a test of the value of exercise. The 
pens marked (1) received their grain food in a 
box; the others (2) were fed in a litter of straw 
on the floor, inducing exercise. 
Eggs in Winter. 
The poultryman, or the housewife, who fails 
to get eggs during the cold months of the year is 
not getting the best returns possible, and runs 
very close to making a bad showing of the year’s 
work. It seems strange to meet the apparently 
indifferent feeling of many as regards winter pro¬ 
duction. Some will tell you that you cannot 
get many eggs in winter. Others say it does not 
pay for the extra work to produce the eggs dur¬ 
ing cold weather. You may be sure that these 
doubtful poultry keepers do not get many winter 
eggs, and probably have to buy of some neighbor 
who has good “ luck. ” 
In my experience with poultrymen I have 
known only one who failed to get winter eggs, 
who ever had the courage to expand his poultry 
plant, and he succeeded only because he was 
catering to a fancy egg demand at three dollars 
per sitting. I have noticed that quite a num¬ 
ber who do not advocate winter egg-production 
have only an ordinary egg yield in other months 
of the year, while those who do succeed in get¬ 
ting winter eggs have just as large a supply in 
spring and summer. Another side to winter egg 
yield is the pleasant results when eggs from these 
layers are set in spring, as they are most sure to 
be fertile. 
Eggs can be had in winter. In Canada, in the 
Northwest, in New England, and in the South, 
wherever we turn our eyes, we see those who are 
getting good results in winter. If others are 
succeeding you can. You may be discouraged 
because no one in your town is getting winter 
eggs, and you fear you cannot. I think if you 
inquire at the store, you will find that there is 
someone near you who is quietly bringing to 
market eggs every month of the year. Look up 
such a one, call and ask questions, and you will 
get plain answers. Do not be satisfied until you 
get out of your poultry all it is possible, both of 
profit and pleasure. 
In order to begin to get eggs by November, it 
is necessary to have well matured birds. Brah¬ 
mas and Cochins should be hatched in March, 
Wyandottes and Plymouth Rocks in April, Leg¬ 
horns and Minorcas in May or June. Under the 
best conditions, birds may be hatched later than 
the months stated, but for all-round success, 
the time given will be found about right. 
The early hatched birds should not have to 
fight for existence. Keep lice under control 
from the egg to the laying age. Feed for growth, 
many poultrymen fail just here. The feeding 
ration must contain all elements needed for 
building a living creature. It does not pay to 
take the chance of a bird finding for itself any 
special line of food. Buy only sound food. Do 
not use any grain that is musty or sour, because 
it is cheap. Less in quantity of better grain 
will give as good results, and you will not run 
the risk of sick birds from bad food. Feed 
wheat and barley rather than all corn. Do not 
depend on bugs to supply animal food, but feed 
every day something in the way of ground meat 
or green bone. Fresh water is necessary to get 
the best results from good and proper care. 
As chicks and young pullets, the birds must 
have air and sunlight. Do not at any time 
allow the chicks to be crowded. Have wire 
front to coops, giving safety from enemies, while 
air is admitted freely. Give the growing birds 
6T 
