The ranch. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1902-1914, 1905-10-15
The Moulting Hen.
III 7, R1anchard.)

The present is the most trying sea
son of the year for the poultryman
Eggs are worth 35 and 40 cents pei
dozen, and but very few who keel
hens have any to sell. The old hens
are passing through the moult, appar
emily the most trying period in theil
life. while the pullets have not ye
commenced laying in earnest. Under
these conditions we are too apt to ne
elect the fowls, particularly the hens
This, however, should not occur. The
hens are the most to be desired fol
breeding purposes next spring. BY
proper care they can be got to laying
again by the month of December OF
early in January, in time to get to
gether the early settings.
We find it desirable to hatch out the
Rocks and Wyandottes in February
and early in March. Our Rock pullets
that were Matched February last com
menced laying by July 10th and have
been laying continuously ever since
Even the pullet moult has not yet at
fected them in their laying. While the
Rock pullets Matched the last of March
and first of April are not yet laying
everything indicates that they intend
doing so by the next two or three
weeks. These pullets were nearly al
Matched from hens eggs, not pullets
eggs. We are confident that we get
greater vigor and stamina from pull
lets so Matched. 1t is vigor and con
stitution that we should all strive for
in building up our flocks. So get the
hens through the moult in time for
early eggs, and, in the absence of an
incubator, have eggs ready for the
broody pullets about February LIST. .
To do this give the hens good care
keep them largely by themselves, es
pecially in their roosting quarters
which at this time should be made
comfortable and warm. The hen with
but few feathers is very sensitive to
the cold these chilly October nights
You need not be surprised if they de-
sert the roost and hide in a coy nest
box for the night. No harm will fol
low if they are humored in this mat
ter, since they are not now using the
nests for laying in. Keep the male
bird away from them. Look we'll after
the dust box, meat scraps, grit and
feed in general. Don't confne them to
a single variety of grain, but give
them a variety every time you feed.
Wheat, corn and oats compose the
standard selection. If they slight the
oats try steaming or boiling them a
few times. Oats are par excellence as
feed at this time. We find that when
fed oats they are more active, appear
to be in better health, and do not be-
come so dumpish as when their diet
is confined to wheat or corn, or both.
Guard against vermin. Now is a
good time to paint the under side of
the roosts and inside of the nest
boxes with carbolineum, also include
a little in the whitewaSh for the room.
There is much being said about
forcing the moult. We have expert
mented some along this line and must
confess that we do not feel like rec
ommending any plan for such a pur-
pose, particularly with stock intended
for breeding purposes. l do not OBJ
ject to hen taking two months time
in which to complete her moult, and
get ready to resume laying during
the following ten months. Plenty of
good, wholesome food as indicated,
and warm roosting quarters will en-
courage the growth of the new feath-
ers fast enough to suit our purposes.
So be kind, thoughtful and consider
ate with the unsightly moulting hen.
D.i e;y 60