The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1917-02-02
WINTER EGG PRODUCTION
eBy Alfred r. Lee. Animal Husband
man in Poultry Investigations, Bu-
reau Of Animal Industry

eBy Alfred r. Lee. Animal Husband
man in Poultry Investigations, Bu-
reau Of Animal Industry
The production Of eggs in winter
from pullets, and to some extent from
hens, can be greatly stimulated by
good methods Of feeding, housing,
and handling. Very few eggs are se-
cured on the average general farm
during the fall and early winter,
when eggs bring the highest prices.
Poultrymen, however. by better man
agement secure a fair egg production
during, these seasons. The object of
this paper is to point out methods of
management which will help to in
crease winter egg production.
To receive good results from q
flock Of poultry during the winter all
houses and coops should be in good
condition, only healthy fowls placed
in these buildings, and good care
given to the poultry These houses
should be thoroughly cleaned, disin-
fected, and made tight for winter. If
the house has a dirt floor 1t is we'll
to remove the top 3 or inches Of
dirt and replace this with dry gravel
or sand. If it has a cement or wood
put in 4 or 5 inches Of fresh straw or
litter. Be sure that the house is tight
on three sides and that there is no
chance for q draft to strike the hens.
If hens roost orr are placed in draft
during the fall and winter, colds are
sure to develop, which may result in
roup and other troubles. From one
third to one-half Of the south side,
or front, of the poultry house may be
made Of curtains and windows, but
should be under control, so that the
openings may be closed gradually as
the weather becomes cold. Have mus
lin curtains in the front Of the house
or leave window partly open, even
on the coolest nights, 20 allow some
ventilation In the house. Fowls will
stand considerable cold air provided
it Is dry, and ventilation will keep
the air thoroughly dry in the house.
Before the pullets are mixed with
the older fowls be sure that the hens
are banded or that the web of the
foot is punched in somew ay SO that
you can distinguish between the pull
let's and the hens. In this way tho
older stock may be cul1ed out when
ever it appears desirable, and the
young hens kept for further laying.
Do not keep hens for egg production
over two years, but some of the best
hens may be kept for breeders until
three or four years old. The pullets
that mature early in the fall and that
mott late are usually the best layers
and should be saved for breeding
stock. Gull the chickens which are
brought into the laying house care
fully, and fatten and market all
chickens which are small poorly de-
yeloped, or in poor condition. These
small, poorly developed chickens are
apt to catch cold if put in with the
other poultry and develop disease
which quickly spread through the
flock.
In order to get the greatest egg
production in the early fall and win
ter it is essential to have well-matur-
ed pullets which were Matched in
March or April. By early Matching
and by supplying good conditions for
egg production more eggs will be pro-
duced in the fall and winter, while a
larger proportion Of hens will go
broody early in the spring, thus COM
plotting the necessary circle for early
fall egg production.