Milford chronicle., 1915-10-22

to be derived from the raising OF poultry
yet it is a known fact that the produc-
tion of eggs nets a greater return to the
breeder than any other source. Eggs
are profitable at almost any time of the
year, but naturally more so when the
commodity is scarce, which is always the
case during the fall and winter months.
In view of this fact, the person who is
successful in getting a good egg yield
during this latter period will invariably
derive greater profits than the man who
only gets them when everybody is doing
likewise.
How to get winter eggs, or induce lay
ing during the winter months, is there
fore the burning question constantly dis
cussed among all classes of poultry
breeders. This includes not only the
man who is engaged in raising poultry
on a large scale for the production of
commercial eggs, but likewise the small
back lot breeder who maintains only a
few fowls for supplying eggs for table
use. Both are vitally interested in how
to get eggs when they are to be had only
at premium.
The laying periods of different breeds
of fowls differ very materially, and on
account of this one must of necessity
acquaint himself with the various char
acteristics of his birds in order to be able |
to get the most out of them. When |
this is once learned he must work dill |
gently, and feed accordingly, to have
them produce. Any old breed from a |
dunghil mOngrel to the finest standard |
type of bird will lay during the spring
and summer months, as this is part of
their nature, but by successful and care
ful breeding and proper methods of feed
ing the winter egg yield can be materl-
ally increased.
The pullets of some certain breeds will
lay earlier than those of others if they
have been properly raised and surround
ed by favorable conditions. Many pull
let's performing their duties when but
four and half or five months old. Other
breeds will not begin laying until about
nine months of age.
Probably the greatest factor in the
production of winter eggs is the ability
of one to get early matches. While this
in itself does not insure winter eggs, it
goes long way toward accomplishing
this much coveted condition. Early
Matched pullets, if fed properly to insure
rapid and constant growth and develop
ment, means that the pullets will begin
to produce at the time when eggs are
wanted.
Ordinarily, when early matches are
spoken of, most persons take this to
mean those gotten out during February :
and March, and while those are the two =
best months in which to hatch the larger
type of birds for producing pullets for
fall and winter laying, it does not by any
means follow that all breeds must be
Matched during these months for the D
same results. Many birds may be hatch a
ed during April and May, and even as il
late as June, and still be properly de- 4
veloped to produce winter eggs. This is, C.
however, true only of the smaller breeds G
such as Anconas, Leghorns, Andalu. a
SLAMS. Campines and Buttercups. All of a
those types may be Matched much latter d
than the larger bodied birds, such as {
WyandOttes, Rocks, Reds and Orping- d
tens and still be rounded into shape for Il
winter production. This, however, de- n
pends upon right feeding and care,
which insures rapid and constant growth,
and all of these things are necessary for nj
the proper development of pullets. h,
Fowls that are stunted in growth or al ie
lowed to lag in their development will 4,
never produce to any extent and are a Vi
detriment rather than an advantage to ci
any plant. NJ
Last winter was an extremely mild e.
one. and one that permitted of early aso
matches. We have yet to see just what ~
conditions will exist this winter, but u,
whatever they may be, you should pre- VI
pare for your next seasons Matching IN
early.
But then, it is entirely too late now
to get winter eggs from pullets Matched
this season, unless they have been pro- SIC
Derly developed and are ready for busi- II
ness. The paramount question which DIR
a
% get a good egg yield in the event he fu
las not been able to raise sufficient pul. pr
cts for this purpose.
The old birds, as rule, are still with
rOu, and allow me to say that, while fin
'ou may not be able to get as many as
ggs during the coming cold season as fir.
he man who is blessed with a large lo1
lumber of matured pullets, yet you can vel
t least increase the egg yield of your
lder birds. This must be accomplished
through feeding. \
No fowl, no matter in how good a son
ondition or of how good a breed, will nor
roduce eggs unless given necessary
equisites to make them. Many per-
1ns, all during the winter, feed their
owls on a straight corn ration and then A
It up howl and heap condemnation on rao
le heads of the poor, defenseless birds
ecause they do not produce eggs. This hanr -
'minds me of the man who plants saw Ia. nav
lst and growls because he cannot grow "Sj
ees.
OF course, corn is a necessary ingre- ,~ SOm
ent of the fowls ration, but there are M
st he -;,,, ~ 't,.i. Olies a. hav
ction of the eggs. This condition is
)st successfully brought about by the
eding of well-balanced grain ration
ice a day, morning and evening, and "
e giving of daily allowance of green GUS
ID which may be fed at noon. Moth as 81
! takes the place of green food for egg star
but while this has the de- berli
ed effect upon the hens in causing your
I'm to shell out the eggs, the yield can are
further increasd by supplying good this
sh food, commonly called egg food. man.
is / advise you to keep before the taUiO
Vls at all times. marc,