850 



Rural School Leaflet 



large range and the weather is favorable so that they may run about, 

 they need only two meals of grain and one of moist mash a day. They 



r-— ^--. — -_^ can always come back to the 



7 dry mash if they get hungry. 

 Beginning with the first meal 

 green food should be supplied, 

 but the hen will soon teach 

 the chickens to peck tender 

 pieces of clover and the like 

 if she is allowed to range with 

 the brood. 



When the chickens are 

 about eight weeks old, the 

 grain and ground food may 

 be fed from a large feed 

 hopper from which they may 

 help themselves at any time. 

 The grain mixture may consist 

 The chickens should also have 



An outdoor hopper for feeding mash, grain, grit, 

 and bone meal 



of equal parts of wheat and cracked corn 



free access to cracked bone, fine grit, screened oyster shell, and charcoal. 



Give plenty of fresh, clean water in a vessel into which the chickens 

 cannot jump. Ordinarily a water fountain is used for the purpose. 



A serviceable water fountain can be made from a pint basin and a 

 tomato can that does not leak. Cut half-inch notches in the edge of the 

 can on opposite sides. Fill the can with water, cover with the inverted 

 basin, then turn the whole thing over, holding basin and can tightly 

 together. The water will run into the basin, but not overflow. If the 

 basin does not become full enough, cut the notches higher. 



IX. FEEDING FOR WINTER EGGS 



C. A. Rogers 



Does it ever occur to boys and girls that fowls are fond of a variety of 

 food? This is especially so when the weather becomes cold and they are 

 shut up in their pens. Then they are away from the fields where in summer 

 they can nearly gain a living on the bugs, scattered grain and seed, and 

 grass. It is true that they will subsist, even in the winter, on com and 

 water given them at irregular intervals, but under such care they cannot 

 lay eggs. Notice how much better you feel after eating a meal of whole- 

 some, well-cooked food that you like. Fowls are just as partial, and 

 respond when well fed. There is no one method of feeding that can be 

 applied equally well under all conditions. The method described in the 

 following paragraphs, however, may be followed to advantage under many 



