" While on that point it may be as well to mention
that the pullets should not be forced to lay at top speed
during winter, -if the object is to breed from them in the
following spring. It is a mistake often made, but it in-
variably leads to a lot of infertility. Forced laying — feed-
ing pullets largely with meat and fish meals — is a great
strain on a fowl's constitution, and if it does not actually
ruin the bird it certainly makes it unfit for the breeding-
pen in the springtime. A great winter layer seldom makes
a good spring breeder, and it is a point worth remember-
ing. If you want eggs in winter — and it is just then
that they fetch the best prices in most districts — by all
means feed the pullets to that end, and get them to ' shell
out ' the maximum. But you must not expect them to
keep at it for weeks on end, and then prove robust
breeders in the spring. They will probably come in handy
for late hatching, if they have been allowed to recuperate
in a proper manner, and as such they may be profitable.
Many pyoultry-keepers are not in favour of these late
hatchings, but I find them very serviceable on occasions.
One summer I brought off a brood of white Wyandottes
in June, and the cockerels came in very useful indeed
as table fowls at Christmas, being then plump and fleshy.
The pullets began to lay just about that time, and they
continued until the following June, with the usual slight
intervals.
