650 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE Off. Doc. 



pounds of sol I food is a fair allowance for 100 hens. As green food 

 is essential lo (he health and thrift, besides necessary to continued 

 egg j)roduction, it is necessary to supply it in some form when they 

 are deprived of it in winter or by confinement. This can be sup- 

 l>lied in the form of potatoes, either raw or cooked, beets, cabbage 

 or clover cut fine and steamed makes a good substitute. Fowls 

 relish it, besides it is a cheap yet very nutritious food. It also fur- 

 nishes lime in considera.ble quantities. 



The grain ration consists mostly of whole corn, wheat and oats. 

 Corn should be fed rather sparingly for laying hens, as it is too 

 fattening. Oats come nearest to the ideal ration, but rather objec- 

 tionable on account of the hull. Grains should be fed automatically, 

 or in deep litter, to force hens to exercise while feeding. This is essen- 

 tial, not onl}^ to the health of the fowl, but stimulates egg produc- 

 tion at the same time. Grit should be supplied at all times. It aids 

 in grinding their grain food, besides prevents indigestion. Last, but 

 not least, I want to urge every poultryman to fight the lice pest un- 

 ceasingly. Never let your fowls be infested with these robbers and 

 murderers, but work everlastingly to keep your flocks free from them 

 and you will find your efforts fully rewarded. 



rOULTEY BREEDING AND FEEDING FOR PROFITABLE EGG 



PRODUCTION. 



By D. STRANAIIAN. 



There is a great deal more in the care and feeding of poultry than 

 there is in the breeding. The care and feed that would suit one kind 

 or breed of fowls would not work successfully with all kinds. But 

 nearly any scrub hen will lay well if properly cared for, while the 

 best bred fowl that can be had could not produce eggs at a profit 

 if not well cared for. Of course, good breeding and care and feeding 

 go together for the best results. If you have a flock of hens you 

 like and want to make them better, that is improve their egg pro- 

 duction from year to year, I w^ould say,,sort out in the spring the best 

 lays, those that matured first, if you can tell them, and those that 

 lay regularly and seem energetic, as there are always those in every 

 flock that lay at a good profit and pay for the feed. By watching 

 them you can soon tell which are the best. When spring comes put 

 them by themselves where they can run out in a park, not necessarily 

 a very large one, for they will need to stay there only while you ar«,' 

 saving eggs for hatching. 



If you have a good male bird that is not related to these hens, and 

 is from good egg-producing stock, put him with them. If not, then 

 secure one of some breeder that is reliable, one who is breeding his 

 stock for eggs and not entirely for sh-ow purposes. Don't think be- 

 cause you pay a big price that it must surely be a good one. Breed- 



