Poultry that Pay a Profit. 65 



and care must receive especial attention in order that the 

 chicks shall be properly grown and built up to enable them to 

 perform the work they are intended to do. To do this, the 

 chick should be generously fed from birth with food suitable 

 for the promotion of rapid and strong growth without fatten- 

 ing. A daily supply of green food and an opportunity for ex- 

 ercise must not be overlooked I am an advocate of heavy 

 feeding in connection with plenty of exercise, both for grow- 

 ing chicks and laying hens. I find also that the foods best 

 suited for the growth of strong, bony, muscular chicks are also 

 best suited to large egg-production, and that the eggs when 

 used for hatching invariably hatch well. I never find it nec- 

 essary to provide any special diet during the moulting period, 

 as a naturally strong and vigorous hen that has been properly 

 fed and cared for during the year previous, will moult quickly 

 and safely, and I can furnish positive proof that many such 

 birds will do considerable singing and lay some eggs during 

 the time. I want none of the so-called patent egg-foods, con- 

 dition-powders or drugs of any kind; but plenty of good, 

 clean, sound grain, such as oats, wheat, barley, corn and buck- 

 wheat, using largely of the first two named. A mixture of 

 ground oats and corn, equal weights, with their weight of 

 bran added and the whole moistened with skim-milk, makes 

 up the morning meal, when the hens are always hungry and 

 are allowed all they will eat up clean in 15 or 20 minutes. If 

 any of the food remains in the trough at the end of that time 

 it is taken away at once. Whole grain is fed at noon and night 

 in litter, so that they must exercise to get it ; yet care is taken 

 to see that they get enough to satisfy them before going upon 

 their perches at night. Before feeding the grain at noon, a 

 feed of green food is given, which is greatly relished. Green 

 clover cut fine and kale supply this want in summer, and cab- 

 bage, beets and turnips in winter. A little skim-milk is given 

 for drink in the forepart of the day, with a supply of good, 

 pure, clean water the rest of the time. No musty or impure 

 food of any kind is ever given, for the reason that it is be- 

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