Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 82, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 April 1918 — FOR THE POULTRY GROWER [ARTICLE]

FOR THE POULTRY GROWER

Egg production Is largely a question of breeding, according to Harold H. Amos, superintendent of the Kansas State Agricultural college poultry farm. Eggs from winter layers should be selected for hatching purposes. Under natural conditions no eggs were laid in the winter months. Artificial methods have been resorted to until by proper selection and management a large number of eggs can be had during the coldest months of the year,

Feeding and care have a great deal to do with winter egg production. Of greater importance, however, is selection and breeding. It has been determined by careful observation that, generally speaking, the, hens that make the best records during the fall and winter months are the best all year layers. All hens will lay fairly well in March, April and May. The poor layers seldom, if ever, lay in those months when prices are the highest. They are not economical producers and should not be kept as breeding stock. Where possible breeding pens should be maintained during the hatching season. All poor layers, undeveloped pullets, and otherwise imperfect birds should be discarded prior to the breeding season if satisfactory results are to be expected. Early hatched chicks are the most profitable both for meat and for egg production. They are the most easily raised because while they are young they are not subjected to the cloudy, rainy weather which comes later In. the spring. They are usually more vigorous. Later chicks have a higher rate of mortality due to the extremely hot weather and the presence of a greater number of parasites. General purpose breeds should be hatched not later than the last of April if the, pullets are to be developed for egg production the following fall and winter. The young cockerels can be disposed of as broilers at much better prices than those of later hatches. With strictly egg breeds, it is not advisable to hatch before the middle of March, as they will often begin to lay early and go into molt about the first of January.