MODERN EGG PAKMING. 73

If housing accommodation permits, a larger number
of birds should be selected in the autumn than will
actually be required for breeding. They can then be
given a last look over in the spring, before the incuba-
tion of their eggs commences. Also, the moult will
often show up weakness in a bird that had not been
previously suspected, and the extra number will allow
for the removal of any birds that do not make a good
recovery from the trying process of renewing their
plumage. As a general rule, the best and most vigorous
breeders are those that get through the moult quickly,
and birds that feather slowly, and take a long time to
get into laying condition again, should be thrown out
of the breeding pens.
WINTER LAYING.
Winter eggs being by far the most profitable, the
winter-laying factor must be a necessary qualification
for entry into the breeding flock. Trap-nest records are,
of course, the best guide to winter-laying powers, but it
is pretty safe to assume that the birds who prove to be
the heaviest layers are also the best winter egg
producers, and this is fortunate for those of us who do
not practice trap-nesting. It is a good plan to put a
distinguishing leg-band on those pullets which handling
and observation during the winter months indicate as
being the best winter producers.
BREEDING FRO.M THE I.ATE MOULTERS.
Many poultry-keepers select their breeding stock
from among the late moulters, reasoning that these
birds have kept up their egg-production for the longest
period, and so must be the most persistent, and probably
the heaviest layers. This deduction is quite sound



MODEKX EGG FARMING.
