96 SUCCESSFUL FARMING 



to adjust any suggested ration to meet his own conditions without seriously 

 impairing its efficiency. 



The ration should contain in proper proportions the various food 

 elements required by the fowl. It should be easily digested and assimilated, 

 palatable, economical, suitable for its intended purpose, easily obtained, 

 easily handled and conveniently fed. It should be a two-part ration 

 consisting of a grain mixture of scratch feed and a mash. It is not possible 

 to obtain a maximum of production with either grain or mash alone. 

 They should be fed in combination with grain constituting approximately 

 two-thirds of the ration. 



The following ration and method of feeding is particularly adapted 

 to farm conditions. The ration as given is based on feeds at normal 

 prices and may be varied with a variation in the price of any feed. The 

 grain mixture consists of 200 pounds corn, preferably cracked, 200 pounds 

 wheat, and 100 pounds heavy oats. If buckwheat is available, 100 pounds 

 may be added during cold weather. The mash consists of 200 pounds 

 corn meal, 100 pounds wheat bran, 100 pounds wheat middlings and 

 100 pounds of beef scrap containing not less than 55 per cent protein. 



The grain should be fed by hand, being scattered in clean litter six 

 to twelve inches deep. The grain should be fed at least twice daily, prefer- 

 ably early in the morning and late in the afternoon. If it is necessary 

 to keep the fowls confined to the house, it is advisable to give additional 

 light feeds in the middle of the forenoon and in the middle of the afternoon 

 in order to keep the fowls busy. 



The amount to be fed will vary with the variety, the weather condi- 

 tions, the egg production and various other factors. It should be deter- 

 mined by the actions and appetites of the fowls. They should be well 

 fed. Endeavor should be made to regulate the feeding so that they will 

 consume approximately twice as much grain as mash. Fowls of medium 

 size when in full lay will consume from 2 to 2J^ ounces of grain daily. 



The mash should be fed dry. Self-feeding hoppers should be used. 

 For Leghorns and similar varieties and for pullets of the dual purpose 

 varieties, such as Plymouth Rocks, Wyandottes, etc., the hopper should 

 be open during the entire day. For yearlings and older hens of the dual 

 purpose varieties, the hopper should be opened at noon and closed when 

 the evening feed is given. 



This ration should be supplemented by a constant supply of clean, 

 fresh water, grit and oyster shell. Sour skim milk should be fed as a 

 drink if it is available, allowing the fowls to consume all they will. Succu- 

 lent feed of some sort is necessary. During the late fall and winter, 

 mangels, sprouted oats, unsalable cabbage, beets, apples, potatoes, 

 steamed clover or alfalfa, or any other succulent food available may be 

 used. The yards should furnish all the green feed required during the 

 spring and summer. 



The Care of Market Eggs. The quality of market eggs is determined 



