A SELF-SUPPORTING HOME 



flesh will cause it to tip the scales at the right 

 mark. Overfattened birds lose shape and 

 condition. Many birds of good size, shape, 

 and build fail to receive awards because of 

 condition and plumage, more the result of feed 

 and care than breeding. I have seen a bird 

 take first prize in one show, and at another, 

 later in the season, when out of condi- 

 tion, be passed over entirely. 



From time of selection, feed good sound 

 food three times a day just the amount 

 they will eat clean in ten minutes. Never 

 throw down unlimited supplies, or they will 

 get overfat and lazy. A quarter of the 

 whole grain each day should be hemp or 

 sunflower seed, to make the feathers bright 

 and glossy. A good mash feed for the last 

 few weeks is rice or wheat boiled in milk. 

 If your birds are white or light colored, 

 shade them from the full rays of the sun, 

 for it has a tendency to tan white feathers and 

 impoverish the quality of the buff plumage. 



The day before shipping light-colored fowls 

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