CARE OF POULTRY 353 



most essential things for laying hens. It is surprising how 

 much water hens drink when they can get it. Skim-milk 

 is excellent. It may be said in this connection that hens 

 which have plenty of exercise rarely get too fat to lay. A 

 poor hen never lays eggs. Unless a hen is well fed she should 

 not be expected to lay eggs. 



During the autumn months, usually September and Octo- 

 ber, chickens moult, that is, shed their feathers and get new 

 ones. At this time hens do not lay eggs, but they should be 

 carefully fed just the same. Plenty of green feed should be 

 given; also, beef- scrap, meat, or green ground bone. It is 

 desirable to get them through the moulting season as soon as 

 possible so that they will begin laying eggs. Eggs at this 

 season always command a high price. 



The sitting hen is put to a severe strain to provide the 

 necessary heat for keeping her eggs at the proper temperature 

 and she needs food which is heat-producing, that is, food 

 having a large proportion of starch and fat. Corn is one of 

 the best feeds. Other feeds should also be supplied. Plenty 

 of clean water, grit, and dust should be provided. 



Poultrymen have different opinions as to the best method 

 of feeding young chicks, but all agree that no feed should be 

 given for thirty-six hours after the chick is hatched. When 

 the chick is hatched its digestive tract is full of the yolk of 

 the egg, and this supplies its wants for some time. Some 

 poultrymen would give as the first feed something soft, like 

 corn-meal wet; others prefer dry feed, like mixed grains 

 cracked fine, or dry rolled oats. In a few days small grains 

 and cracked corn can be fed. Whole wheat, cracked corn, 

 and skim-milk are standard feeds for young chicks. As soon 

 as "feathered out," they can be fed much the same as mature 



