The Winter Egg Basket

Horowhenua Chronicle, 9 May 1910, Page 4

The Winter Egg Basket

HINTS FOlt HEN KEEPERS

Failure to secure a profitable number of eggs during the winter months when prices are highest often may be attributed to neglect of minor details, which in reality mars success. If conditions are carefully studied the causo may bo discovered and removed.

.For instance, a, liberal supply of good maizo may bo fed and tho hens not respond oft account of the sameness of the feed, which, when fed alone, is too fattening and lacking in egg food; or oats only may be supplied, which give insufficient heat and nourishment. Again too small a ration in proportion to the number of hens, is given; or the ilock may be a promiscuous one, consisting oi fowls of all ages, and immature pullets. The first step in the right direction is to get the flock into a proper condition to winter well. In the autumn tho flock should bo severely culled in order that more room and attention may be bestowed upon those that are to be kept for layers. Culling tho flock is of tho greatest importance, but it is too often neglected. It requires judgment and courage; good judgment in choosing the very best in -marking ami constitution and courage in quickly disposing of all old, poor and immature specimens, including all old and young roosters, replacing the latter with non-related, well matured young birds

When the flock is not well culled there is always loss and disappointment to the owner, as the poor stock is not only unprofitable but seriously interferes with the progress of the good by crowding and utilising for its subsistence that which would be turned to better account were it utilised by the best of the flock. Experience has taught me that it is always advantageous to dispose of the undesirable fowls early and turn the money to good account and give the remaining fowls an opportunity to do their best.

Unless a hen has moulted by the middle of April she should be disposed of, for if she is thin and ragged then, it will require the most of the winter for her to get into good flesh and feather, so it may bo said that she will produce no eggs ibefore the warm weather arrives.

The hens should be given as good a variety of grain as possible, varied by giving some vegetable, such as cabbage, turnips, potatoes, beets, etc. The vegetables should be fed both raw and cooked. Mangel wurzols are excellent fed raw; if they arq cut in two and placed in a clean, warm place the fowls will eagerly eat them. Any one having access to but a very small space of ground will do well .to cultivato mangel wurzels to feed to the fowls during winter. They are easily raised and yield immense crops. _ Cooked vegetables should be fed in clean troughs; they should be cooked in a small amount of water, and drained, as sloppy feed is not beneficial. Occasionally the cooked_ vegetable may be mixed stiff with ground grain, and a little mustard, Mid, a bit of salt added.

Meat scrap in some form is a necessary egg ration; tallow_ and lard can be used when available. Milk in any form is also of great value as an egg food. Plenty of coarse sand or grit in some form must be placed where tho fowls can have daily access to it to aid in the .proper digestion and assimilation or food.

Water is as necessary in winter as in summer. It is surprising how much of it the fowls will drink. With this requirement unfurnished, then, they cannot be expected to floursh.

Tlie hen-house must he dry ,and free from draughts. It is not a hard task to keep it clean if it is gone over frequently. Clean, dry nests are also nil inducement. The house sliouM face tho north-east so as to get the heat of the sun as early as possible. Exercise is another important factor in egg .production, audi is wanted at all seasons, hut more especially in cold weather. Pine needles, cut straw, or the fallen leaves make good scratching material. But it should he dry nnd placed in a dry part of the house before grain is thrown in.