Breeding Poultry from a Faxcier's Standpoint. 335 



How Much to Feed? If we admit that the la vine; of eges out of 

 the natural brooding season to be an artificial condition, we have 

 more than natural demands to supply; and while the best methods 

 of feeding for egg production is not a part of my subject, at the 

 same time I will say, our high-class breeding fowls need greater 

 attention in this line than do the market or egg producers. 



Fowls kept for breeding stock should be well fed, so as to keep 

 them in good working condition. Their diet should be composed 

 of all kinds of grain, green food and but little soft or mixed food, 

 as it has a tendency to make internal fat. A little mixed food 

 each day is good, but the tendency is always to feed too much of 

 it. Grain, seeds and bugs are the natural food for fowls, for all 

 which it is their nature to dig and hunt. If we wish the best 

 results, our breeding stock should be compelled to dig and hunt 

 for all they have to eat. You simply kill them with kindness 

 when you scatter food upon the floor or bare ground for them to 

 eat. Make them dig in the straw and seek for all they get to eat. 



Plenty of good, fresh water should be constantly before them, 

 dav and night, during all the months in which it will not freeze. 

 During cold weather they should have water during the day, but 

 at all times remember that an earlv drink of ice-cold water will 

 shiver them the same as-it would yourself on a cold, raw morning. 

 Hot water is not good for them; neither is hot food; both or 

 either, just a little warm of a cold day, is not bad. Hot food or 

 hot drinks create an unnatural heat, from which they must have 

 a reaction, both conditions very unnatural for a fowl. 



Care of the Growing Chicles. 



Fowls intended for exhibition stock should be fed all they can 

 be induced to eat, within reason, from the time they are hatched 

 until finished for the show. Don't overfeed or gorge them, but 

 keep them so well cared for that their crops and gizzards are 

 never empty. And at the same time have present a lack of full- 

 ness of crop that will induce them to hunt continually for bugs 

 and seeds. The continual exercise is of great value to them. .V 

 poorly-fed chick will never make an exhibition fowl of merit. 



The Exhibition Fowl. 



The proper handling of our stock is beyond all other conditions. 

 Allow me to explain my meaning by citing an incident of the past 

 season: A friend had 60 eggs, all laid by five Brown Leghorn 



