REPORT OF THE POULTRY MANAGER. 233 



Grit is another important essential. It is actually the hen's teeth. It should be 

 always before the fowls, and may be supplied in the shape of gravel, sifted coal 

 ashes, crushed oyster shells, broken stone or clear grit. There are several forms of grit 

 substances sold for use of poultry men, all of which are good. Oyster shells are good for 

 grit, also supplying lime for the egg shells. 



Exercise is another important factor, as has been already remarked, in making hens 

 lay in winter. To keep the hens constantly active requires skilful managing and experi- 

 ence. It is not so easy as may seem, at first glance. It is best secured by throwing the 

 grain among straw, litter, or dry earth (which should be on the floor of the poultry- 

 house) and feeding it as directed in ration No. 1. If dry earth or sand, is used on the 

 floor instead of straw or other dry litter, the earth or sand must be raked over the grain, 

 so as to keep the fowls busy searching for it. In report of last year a diagram of a 

 building and shed attached for the laying stock to scratch in was given with full in- 

 structions as to the best means of keeping the laying stock in activity. 



The Drink Water. — It has been urged in previous reports to have the temperature 

 of the building, if at all possible, at such a figure (35° or 40°) that the water will not 

 freeze. And where it does freeze the chill should be taken off before the layers are 

 permitted to drink it. This should be done at lest three or four times daily. A con- 

 stant supply of pure water is an important essential. 



A Comfortable House is another requisite to egg production. Experiment has 

 proved that where the layers are kept in cold habitations, that the food instead of going 

 into eggs will be drawn upon to supply animal heat. Experiment has also led to the 

 conclusion that if the hens are kept comfortable at night so much the better will re- 

 sults be. A room with a low roof or a screen, to be let down over the roosting place at 

 night, might utilize the warmth from the bodies of the fowls. In some recently 

 constructed poultry-houses, the room for roosting in, and that for feeding and exercis- 

 ing in, are separate apartments. 



The Science of Feeding. 



The feeding of the laying stock, so as to ensure the best results at as little cost as 

 possible, is a science. It has to be studied, and to be successfully practised an appren- 

 ticeship has to be served, in order to gain the experience necessary. Hence you find 

 intending poultry keepers in many cases taking positions in large poultry establishments 

 in order to gain the knowledge or experience necessary to success. By the Experi- 

 mental Earm system the best methods are found out, and the experience gained, is con- 

 veyed to the farmers in the shape of reports and bulletins, so saving time and expense. 

 The rations may be of the very best, and the good effect lost by a lack of knowledge how 

 to feed them properly. The experience of the past eight years leads to the endorsation 

 of the following, " On the proper method of feeding fowls," by Mr. A. F. Hunter, one of 

 the leading poultrymen of the day, who says in Farm-Poultry : — A fowl should have an 

 empty crop in the morning and a full one at night, and she should not fill it at one or 

 two railway-restaurant-style of feeds, but should fill it a little at a time and be kept at 

 work all day filling it. The work is as essential as the food itself. Next in importance 

 to a well balanced ration is bodily activity and that bodily activity is best promoted by 

 keeping the hen hunting for her food." And then follows instructions as to proper feed- 

 ing similar to those given in my reports of 1889, 1890 and 1891. Concluding, Mr. 

 Hunter says : — The very best way to feed fowls in winter, is to give them for breakfast 

 a light feed of mash (as described). An hour later scatter three or four handsful of oats 

 or barley, (in the straw litter) to start them scratching ; about eleven o'clock three or 

 four more handsfull of barley or oats and more scratching ; about one o'clock a very 

 light feed of wheat, to be scratched for and then enough to fill up the crop for last feed. 

 Keep the hen a little hungry, keep her wanting just a little more, and she will work and 

 sing and lay eggs." 



The subject of rations and the proper way to feed them has been treated very fully 

 in the foregoing pages for the reason that numerous letters have been received during 

 the past year, as to what and how to feed and the proper quantity to give. This, not- 



