60 Poultry that Pay a Profit. 



bushel of green-cured clover-hay is cut very fine and cooked. 

 A mixture of the feeding ration is mixed with this, boiling 

 water being used if no milk can be obtained. At one time 

 much larger quantities of clover-hay were used, which largely 

 reduced the cost of feed per day, but it largely reduced the 

 egg-product and was abandoned. It is too bulky, and the hen 

 cannot eat enough of it to supply nutriment for heavy egg- 

 production. Charcoal contains no nourishment, but prevents 

 fermentation, or bad effects from overeating. There is no 

 economy in keeping a pullet in such poor condition that it will 

 be a year before she begins to lay. April-hatched pullets 

 should be " pushed " for all they are worth, and begin laying 

 in the fall. The hen that is laying should be crowded to the 

 utmost capacity, and during the moulting season the growth of 

 feathers is a great drain on the system, which requires plenty 

 of food to keep the hen in condition, and hasten the growth,_so 

 that she can begin laying again. Excitement costs food and 

 eggs ; keep no males to worry, except in breeding-pens, A lot 

 of young chicks were sorted over and all the males that could 

 be distinguished were put in a pen by themselves. Unlimited 

 amounts of corn were fed them until killed. The pullets 

 and a few males that could not be detected at the time, 

 were fed wheat and other nitrogenous foods. The corn-fed 

 males, when killed, were a mass of yellow fat, and had small 

 bones. The others were as heavy, but were all muscle, and 

 had bones twice as large. They were in much the better condi- 

 tion for health and breeding purposes. 



The following tables show the ration that has given the best 

 results for egg-production for 600 hens. 



1. Morning, by weight, all they can eat of the following 

 mixture : One-half bran, one-fourth corn and one-fourth oat- 

 meals mixed with hot water or milk, with one-half pint of salt, 

 one quart of charcoal and one bushel of clover-hay cut fine; 

 If there be no milk add 16 pounds of chopped meat and one 

 bushel of beets cut fine. 



2. Noon, whole grain by measure. One part oats, one 



