FEED AND CARE OF POULTRY 259 



difficult to grind fresh bone on the farm. This material should 

 never be fed when in a spoiled condition as it causes sickness. 



Dry Cracked Bone is easier to keep in good condition than fresh 

 cut bone and for this reason may be purchased at feed stores. 

 It is not as valuable as fresh cut bone but nevertheless it is an 

 exceedingly desirable poultry food. Bone in some form should 

 be kept before poultry at all times to furnish the nutrients for 

 making firm and fine flavored eggs. 



Meat and Bone Meal. As the name implies this feed is com- 

 posed of meat and very fine ground bone. This is a very desir- 

 able poultry food as it furnishes a great deal of protein, fat and 

 ash. 



Skim Milk is a splendid food for fattening or growing chick- 

 ens, whether sweet or sour. It may be fed alone or with a mash. 

 When utilized care must be taken to keep the feeding vessels 

 thoroughly clean. 



Green Food. Like animals, poultry do well when supplied 

 green food. In the spring when tender grass is furnished, an 

 increase in egg production is noticeable. Therefore it should 

 be the aim of every poultryman to supply pasture or green grass 

 or legumes to the poultry in summer and in the winter cut clover, 

 alfalfa, and immature cured grasses are beneficial. Clover and 

 alfalfa meal are found on our markets but the farmer should 

 raise enough of these hays so that he will not be forced to buy 

 them. Alfalfa and clover are better than grass hays because 

 they run higher in protein and ash and are excellent for the 

 needs of laying 'hens. The finer parts that are found about the 

 barn may be saved for the poultry. The coarse stems are not 

 generally consumed but so little of this material is required that 

 what is left will not amount to much. Lettuce, cabbage and 

 onions are also sometimes fed and poultry are very fond of 

 these vegetables. Cabbage twice a week is sufficient and onions 

 once in a while. If these feeds are fed continually they are 

 liable to spoil the flavor of the eggs. 



Other Succulent Feed. Roots such as potatoes, beets, etc., are 

 excellent. They may be hand fed or stuck on nails about the 

 yard or house. Silage is also beneficial and may be furnished 

 two or three times a week. Apples when plentiful are splendid. 



