i6 Journal of Agriculture. [lo Jan., 1910. 



during the last three days is beneficial, and undoubtedly tends to soften 

 the membranes adhering to the shell, thus assisting the chick in breaking 

 the shell and rendering its exit more easy. Climatic conditions play an im- 

 portant part in incubation — dry seasons have to be considered here. During 

 the last drought, many duck breeders found it necessary to add moisture for 

 periods varying from seven tO' fourteen days, and with excellent results ; 

 in fact, during the time of airing the eggs, many immersed the eggs in 

 warm water and the results were satisfactory. In October the floor of the 

 incubator room should be kept wet during the last week. 



Feeding I-aying Hens. 



The great variety of smaller cereals grown on the average farm in 

 this State makes the adoption of a liberal ration for the farm flock of 

 poultry practicable. All of the staple grain products make desirable 

 poultry food. Wheat ranks high as feed for laying hens. Oats is a 

 highly nitrogenous food and should form a large part of the ration. 

 Fowls do not readily take tO' barley, but when fed as a mixture with other 

 grain, it will be found beneficial. Millet is another excellent food, which 

 may, with advantage, be added tO' the ration, more especially for young 

 chicks and growing turkeys. Crushed maize is one of the best of all 

 grain, when fed to the flock during the winter months; but the writer 

 prefers to use equal parts of maize with short white oats. Maize is a 

 cheaper food than wheat, but the aim of the poultry breeder should be 

 to give a variety of grains in making up the daily ration. 



The exact quantity of food to be given in the daily ration to a pen of 

 layers, or to a number of stock birds, cannot be definitely stated in a 

 single rule which will applv in every case. One has always to remember 

 that the climatic conditions, the locality, and the breeds, are all considera- 

 tions for the breeder to carefully weigh. Hens laying in winter quarters 

 require more than those out in the pens, and a greater variety of food 

 is desirable. An insufficient supply of green food will cause a paleness 

 in the yolk of the egg. A hen that is a heavy layer can scarcely be over- 

 fed ; but, on the other hand, the good feeder will always aim to have 

 the hens eager and anxious for their feed at meal times. Much depends on 

 the judgment of the feeder, and his discretion should be exercised at all 

 times, When kitchen scraps are available, they give variety to the morning 

 mash. Skim milk is of great value as an aid to egg production, and when 

 available should take the place of water. 



Method of Feeding. — The plan of feeding laying hens followed at 

 the Burnley School of Horticulture, under the supervision of the writer, 

 is as follows : — 



Morning meal. — Pollard (by measure), 2 parts; bran, i part; lucerne 

 chaff, about i part ; dry animal meal, about i oz. to each bird. Mix with 

 hot water until thoroughly friable, and allow 2| ozs. to each hen. Should 

 any of the birds show signs of liver troubles, raw onion, finely sliced, 

 is added. It is an excellent tonic, and adds lustre to the plumage. 

 At noon, a little grain is thrown in the dry litter, and during the warm 

 weather, silver beet, lettuce and cabbage are fed in addition. 



Evening meal. — The value of grains has already been referred to, but 

 a word as to quantity and mixing is all that need be added. Equal parts 

 of wheat and short oats (avoiding the use of smutted wheat) should be 

 given. A handful to each bird will approximately weigh i| ozs., so that 

 the daily allowance of food works out at 4 ozs. to each bird, which allows, 

 at least, half-an-ounce to each i lb. of a bird's (live) weight. 



