Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1858-01-21
CIR 5armrr.
10 Have Eggs in Winter.


The question is often asked, "Why
cannot hens be made 10 lay as well
IN winter as 10 summer" They
can, tc q certain extent; but they
require rs a condition, that they be
we'll provided with warm and COM
Portable lodging, clean apartments
plenty of food, pure water, gravel,
lime, fine sand, and ashes to roll and
bathe il.
There seems naturally to be two
seasons Of the year when hens lay;
early 10 The spring, and afterwards
10 summer; indicating that if fowls
were left to themselves, they would
like wild birds, produce two broods
10 year.
Early spring-hatched birds, if
kept in a warm place and fed plenti-
fully and attended to, will generally
commence laying about Christmas
or even somewhat earlier. In cold
and damp this is not to be expected,
and much may, in different seasons,
depend on the state Of the wealth
er and the condition Of the bird.
1t is a well-known fact that, from No.
vember to February, (ths very time
when we want eggs the most.) they
are to many bill of expense, with
out any profit. To promote fecundi-
ty and great laying in the hen, it il
necessary, that they be well fed on
grain, boiled potatoes given to them
scarm, and occasionally animal food
In The summer they get their supply
of animal food in the way of worms
and insects when suffered to run at
large, unless their number is SO great
as to consume beyond the supply in
their rowing distance. | found it
advantageous, in the summer, to
open the gates occasionally, and
give the fowls a run in the garden
and in the field adjoining their yard
for a few hours in the day, when
grasshoppers and other insects we're
plenty. ] bad two objects in view;
one to benefit the fowls, and the 9TH
er to destroy the insects. 1t will
be found that the fecundity OF the
ben viii be increased or diminished.
according to the supply of animal
food furnished.
Hens moult and cast their feathers
once every year,generally commencing
10 August and. continuing until late
10 November. 1t is the approach
the drration, and the consequence
of this period, which puts stop to
their laying. 1t is critical time
for all birds. All the period while
it lasts, even to the time that tn
last feathers are replaced by ney
onss, till these are full grown, tn
wasting Of the nutritive juices, pre-
pared from The blood for the yer.
purpose Of promoting this growth, ]
considerable; and hence it is no wor
der there should not remain enoug
in the body of the hen to cause he
to grow.
Old hens cannot always be depeI
ded on for eggs in winter, they scarce
ly being in full feather before til
last Of December; and then, prob'
bly,, may not begin to lay till
March OF April, producing not mo-
than some twenty or thirty eggs; ar
this is probably the cause Of Il
disappointment Of those who ha'
supplied themselves at the marke
with their stock to begin with, and 6
few eggs. As pullets do not mou
Che FIRST year, they commence layir
before the older hens, and by atten
ing to the period of Matching, egl
may be produced during the ye
AN early brood of chickens, ther
fore, by being carefully shelter
from the cold and wet, and fed oEce
day on boiled potatoes, warm, wi
plenty Of grain, and occasionally
little animal food, will begin to /
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