Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1922-05-16

March, April, September, October
and November are the six best
months in Georgia. In order to lay
winter eggs, pullets must be hatch
ed early enough to start laying be-
fore cold weather sets in. All chicks
must have reached about two
pounds before the hot, dry summer
starts in, otherwise they will not de.
Velop properly. BY Matching in the
fall months, we can produce pullets
which will lay the next summer and
fall when the older hens are stop
ping. These fall-hatched pullets also
make admirable breeders the follow
ing year. Because of higher prices
paid in early spring and late fall.
much more is realized from the fry
ers disposed of. Figuring on the
average of from IL to IL months
for the Mediterranean to start lay
ing. to for the American breeds
AMI from s to for the Asiatics, one
can determine the time Of year to
start Matching. Climatic conditions
are such that there will be a differ.
ence between the extreme sections
in our own state.
Eggs for Matching in order to give
the best results should be clean,
fresh, and above all from well-mated,
strong, healthy, well-cared-for adult
birds. Otherwise the germ will be
weak and thereby produce either a
weak chick or none at all.
The male bird is more than half
the flock and should be selected as
per selection instructions. AS a
rule only females one year old or
older should be used. However, we'll
matured pullets which have been
laying a few months often give good
results. When hens are used, we'll
matured cockerels will give the best
results, while cocks should be mated
to pullets. Only the strongest and
best layers should be mated. With
the American or general purpose
breeds, such as Rocks, Reds, Wyan
dottes, etc, one male to ten or
twelve females should be mated,
while Leghorns, Minorcas, Campines,
etc., Of the Mediterranean breeds
one male to ten or fifteen give good
results. With the meat breeds, such
as Brahmas, Cochins and Langshans
not over eight or ten females to
one male. 1t is often necessary to
clip the feathers near the vents of
the meat breeds to get good results.
Pens should be mated at least a
week before eggs are saved. Leg
horn eggs are cftentimes fertile the
day following the mating, but the
safest plan is to wait a week. EGGS
are sometimes fertile for two or
three weeks after males have been
removed; however, we do not adj
wise saving eggs after a week has
elapsed.
Breeders usually do better when
given free range, but excellent re-
suits can be obtained by properly
caring for closely confined f1ocks.
Houses should be clean, dry and we'll
ventilated. Enough straw, hay, pine
needles or leaves should be kept on
the floor to induce birds to exer-
else. House and nests especially
should be clean and free from mites
and lice.
In fertil egg the germ starts
to develop slightly at 70 degrees in
this climate; therefore eggs should
be collected twice daily and kept
in a cool, dry place. Eggs may be
kept two or three weeks under ia,
vorable conditions, but the fresher
the egg the better the hatch will be-
If eggs are kept more than a week
they should be turned daily. Eggs
of uniform size and color with
smooth shells should be saved. AL,
off colored, rough-shelled, as well as
small and abnormally large eggs
should be consumed.
1t is imperative that pullets start
to lay before cold weather sets in, or
they are not likely TO start before
early spring. Laying can be hasten
ed by adding animal protein to the
ration. Animal protein may be sup
piled in the form of beef scrap, tank
age, ground bone or some form of
milk, such as skinned milk or but
termilk. Milk may be fed sweet or
sour in pans as water or in making
wet mash. The college ration used
for egg production and made up of
both scratch and mash is as follows:
Scratch Feed-100 pounds of wheat,