FERTILE EGGS 55 



Feeding for fertility is another necessity in getting hatchable 

 eggs. Here we may consult Nature. The spring is the time that 

 Nature gives the fertile eggs; let us feed as much as possible as 

 she does. Let us be sure to give plenty of tender, green, succulent 

 food, as well as animal food to supply the place of the grubs and 

 worms, which Nature gives, but in making any radical change in 

 the food, make the change gradually. There is a difference between 

 change and variety. A great variety will give fertility, while a 

 radical change of any kind will cause a loss of eggs as well as loss 

 of fertility. Among the green foods that give fertility, the fore- 

 most is alfalfa. Give the fowls all the alfalfa or clover that you 

 can induce them to eat. Give all the ^rain in the scratching pen, 

 so they will have to work and exercise for every grain. Nothing 

 helps the fertility so much as the exercise of scratching and nothing 

 costs much less. One prominent poultry breeder told me that 

 it costs him exactly one cent a month per hen to keep fresh wheat 

 straw in his scratching pen ; the hens scratch in that and also eat a 

 considerable amount of the straw. 



The grain most conducive to fertility is oats. I always use 

 oatmeal in the dry mash during the breeding season, also sprouted 

 oats. These are given besides the mixed grain in the scratching 

 pen. 



The animal food should be as much as possible, fresh green bone 

 and meat, skim milk and beef scraps. The fresh meat is the best 

 of all, but it must be fresh. Those living where rabbits or wild 

 game are abundant can supply this. At the sea coast, fish and the 

 little crabs or clams make a valuable addition to the animal food. 



Of course, good, sharp grit, crushed oyster shell and charcoal 

 should be before the hen all the time. 



