The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1918-09-27
keep ALL EARLY
MATCHED LAYERS
Well Developed PulIets Should
Be Selected for Producing
Eggs During Winter.
HANDLE ALL FOWLS GENTLY
Much Depends on Method of Changing
From Summer Quarters-SpeciaI
Attention Should Be Given to
Making Hens Comfortable.

Pullets that were Matched early last
spring and developed properly during
the summer should begin laying in Oc-
tober. These are the pullets that
should be selected now to make up
the flock that Is to produce eggs next
winter. Whether they continue to lay
next season when eggs are high IN
price depends upon the way they are
fed and the method of changing them
from summer conditions to their win
ter quarters. AT this season these
are the questions that should receive
the attention of every poultry raiser;
It Is desirable that outlets be In the
houses they are to occupy during the
winter three or four weeks before they
are expected to begin laying. How
ever, IL outlets are on good range they
should not De deprived of this, and
may be removed to their winter quar-
tiers when good range becomes scarce.
The change should then be made gen.
thy and carefully. and special attention
given to making the hens comfortable
and contented in their new home. II
this Is done the transfer Will have only
slight effect on their egg production.
Give bullets Good start.
Gentle handling and good treatment
will go long way toward offsettlng
the unfavorable effects Of moving pull
lets, whether the change to permanent
winter quarters Is made before or after
winter laying begins. Rapid and rough
handling should be avoided. A little
extra time and care In moving pullets
carefully makes difference of weeks,
and sometimes months, In egg produc-
ton. The new home should be clean,
the floor covered with litter, all nests
and feeding and water equipment
ready for use. A feed of grain should
be scattered in the litter and drink
ing vessel filed with water before the
transfer is made.
When hens are to be changed from
one house to another 1t is best to move
them after dark. II only few birds
are to be removed and the distance is
short, they may be carried two at q
time, not by the feet, with their heads
hanging down. but resting In sitting
position on the attendants hand and
wrist. When large number Of birds
are to be transferred convenient box
or coop may be used. The birds should
not be overcrowded and should BE-
placed in and removed from the boz
gently.
Laying hens should get great part
of their feed by foraging. Wher
housed In winter quarters the best sub
stitute for this is to make them scratch
for the grain in clean litter scattered
about the floor. The hens will thus
get the necessary exercise which Il
essential for good egg production. i
hens are placed In winter quarter
from free range they should be liber
ally supplied with vegetable feed
which at this time can be easily oh
tained from the garden. In fact, lay
ing hens shc::ld have vegetable o
green feeds as much as possibl,
throughout the winter. This makes I
possible to feed grain heavily to pro
mote good egg production and yet keel
the birds IN the best Of physical con
dillon.
The problem Of feeding Is one o