Rural School Leaflet 



1163 



In addition to the moist feed, grain should be given. A good mixture 

 is 3 pounds cracked wheat, 2 pounds finely cracked com, and i pound 

 pinhead oatmeal, rolled oats, or hulled oats. A dry mash may be left 

 before the chickens at all times, but only as much should be given at 

 one time as will be eaten in a day. If any of the mash becomes dirty, 

 it should be removed. The mash may consist of 4 pounds wheat bran, 

 3 pounds wheat middlings, 3 pounds corn meal, 3 pounds sifted beef 

 scrap, and | pound bone meal, well mixed together. Beef scrap that is 

 not perfectly fresh should never be used. For chickens four weeks old 

 or over, the portion of bran may be reduced to three pounds. 



Cottage cheese may be given in addition to the other feeds, but not 

 in large quantities. It may cause bowel trouble if the chickens eat too 

 much at first. Sour milk is a very valuable food for young chickens 

 and should always be used when it can be obtained. It seems better to 

 moisten the mash with it rather than to feed it separately when the chickens 

 are very young. All foods should be sweet and clean, never moldy nor 

 sour. All changes in the ration should be made gradually. 



Method of feeding. — Care should be taken to have the hen well supplied 

 with whole grain and large grit. The chickens should be fed often at 

 first, usually live times a day. The moist feed may be given in a shallow 

 dish or on a piece of clean 

 board, and should be taken 

 away as soon as all the 

 chickens have had enough. 

 During the first few days 

 they will probably eat but 

 a small amount of grain ; it 

 may be scattered in a .shal- 

 low dish containing a little 

 dry mash made according 

 to the formula given. After 

 two or three days, the dry 

 mash alone may be fed in 

 the dish, and the grain 

 scattered on the ground or 

 the floor. Two meals of 

 the moist feed may then 

 be given, the other feed- 

 ings being of grain. The 

 dry mash may be left where 

 the chickens can get it at any time. After the first week the bread and 

 the rolled oats need not be given, but a little of the dry mash may be 

 moistened and given instead. 



The interior of the outdoor feed hopper, showing com- 

 partments that may be used for grain, dry mash, 

 grit, and beef scrap 



