MANAGEMENT OF POULTRY 



during this period but it need not be so finely 

 cracked. Plenty of grain should be available at 

 all times. 



Laying Ration. When the birds are getting 

 ready to lay, the ration should be changed so 

 that during the winter laying season the mash 

 will include equal amounts of yellow corn meal, 

 wheat bran, wheat middlings, ground heavy 

 oats and meat scrap. Twenty-five per cent of 

 dried buttermilk or skim-milk may be substituted 

 for an equal amount of meat scrap. 



The grain ration should consist of equal 

 amounts of cracked or whole yellow corn and 

 wheat. This should be fed in the late afternoon, 

 giving sufficient to satisfy the appetites of 

 the birds between the time of going to roost 

 and a light morning meal. It should be fully 

 consumed by eight o'clock in the morning. 

 Adequate consumption of mash is a prime 

 requisite in egg production. The feeding of 

 semi-solid buttermilk at the rate of 3 to 5 pounds 

 to 100 hens daily is recommended. Ten pounds 

 of mangel beets per 100 hens or I square inch 

 of well-sprouted oats per bird will supply needed 

 green food during the winter. 



In many cases it will be found more satis- 

 factory to purchase ready mixed rations from a 

 local dealer who handles reliable and scientifically 

 compounded feeds for poultry. This is particu- 



141 



