Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1908-11-17
Getting Eggs When Prices are High

detting Eggs When Prices are High
The breeder who is in the business
for eggs should aim TO have a portion
of his flock laying in the fall and early
winter when top prices prevail. Many
think that the only way to accomplish
this is by means of early pullets, but
while this is undoubtedly the surest
source TO depend upon-if one has good
luck with the earlier hatches-with
proper care gratifying results may often,
times be obtained from the older fowls.
For instance, there are the biddies
that have reared chickens earlier in the
season Having enjoyed the advantage
of a long period of comparative ease,
they will usually continue to lay foI
some weeks after their sisters who have
been favored with no such vacation,
shut down for the long autumn rest.
They should be marked in some manner,
and their condition carefully noted when
the time for disposing of surplus stock
arrives. Some hens, too, in which the
laying quality is especially well develop
ed, will continue to lay until nearly
destitute of feathers, and precautions
should be taken against letting them go
too early. They may be distinguished
usually by bright appearance OF the
head and comb, coupled with good
appetite and q disposition to forage the
entire day.
| Then there may be some birds that
were hstched late last season. II they
did not get to laying until along in the
winter, it stands to reason that they are
still quite fresh, and with little coax
ing may be kept to work longer than
birds that began several months earlier
in the season. In fact, much as we dis
like bothering with late-hatched chicks,
we have often felt well repaid for all the
trouble they have cost us, when they 60
to shelling out the eggs in the liveliest
possible fashion at time when the re-
mainder of our flock was completely
out of the running.
Yet another contingent of layers may
be secured for the dull season from the
birds that pass an early moult. These
should be separated from the rest as
soon as they begin to get their new
| feathers, unless it is possible to let the
whole flock run at large, and served
regularly with a nutritious diet, includ-
ing plenty of meat and green stuff. We
say separated from the rest, for there is
tendency in mOulting fowls to stand
around inactive, and if the more advanc-
ed birds are allowed 10 mingle with
those vet in the earlier stages OF the
process, il will be all the more difficult
| TO rid them of this habit so fatal to the
production of eggs. They should not
be fed too heavily with mash, but made
| to exercise by throwing leaves or other
litter in the run and scattering their
grain in this. A considerable period is
necessary to recupera,e the vital forces
even after the new coat has fully appear
ed; but it may be materially shortened
by such care and attentions as we have
described.
| II will be seen, therefore, that by a
little extra effort considerable laying
force may be got together, independent
of the pulletS, for the fall and winter
months. Even hens with decidedly OBJ
| iectionable features should be retained,
| il they promise well, for at the ex
orbitantly high prices Obtainable, sim
gle litter means tidy profit. But look
out for these undesirable specimens
when the breeding season arrives. The
secret is, To get the cest possioiiitleS
of the flock by themselves, and then
concentrate ones efforts upon them in
the way of the best of care and feed.
| What has been said of the fowls may
be applied in a large measure to the pull
let's. As fall draws near pick out the
earliest and most promising from the
laying standpoint, and place by them
selves. You will be surprised to see
how special care and feed will hurry
them along the road to maturity; and
these cannot be given advantageously so
long as they are running with a large
flock. II is not advisable to put hens
and pullets together, as the former are
likely to tyrannize over the younger
birds. Also avoid having many young
cockerels running with either hens or
pulets, especially if they are producing
eggs.-John L. Woodbury., York Co., in
Il Maine Farmer