CHAPTER XVII 



FEEDING FOR EGGS 



We have discussed getting eggs for hatching purposes, so that in 

 at least the second generation we would have stock that would be so 

 full of the vital spark they would not only live but that they would 

 have enough of that vitality to transmit to the progeny. 



That is the foundation to build on, and anything less than perfectly 

 healthy, vigorous fowls are not fit to breed from. Breeding from 

 sickly stock is like building a house on sand without a foundation. 



In this chapter we are going to talk about eggs for commercial 

 purposes and how to get them both winter and summer, always pro- 

 viding you have the foundation to work on. For you can't make sickly 

 hens lay eggs of any kind in quantities to pay. You may force them 

 a little with stimulants, but if the vigor is not there, they soon give 

 out. So we are presuming that you have the foundation built and are 

 all ready for business. 



Commence your day's feeding with a light meal of either wheat, 

 or barley that has been soaked and processed for one or two days, 

 according to weather. Just at present, barley is much cheaper than 

 wheat, and the poultryman who expects to make money with chickens 

 must look twice at the price of a grain he is about to buy. The next 

 item of interest to him is, will the cheaper feed serve the purpose he 

 wants it for, will it bring eggs? If it will do this it is cheaper than 

 the other both ways. ^Barley does bring eggs if fed right, it is a strong 

 food and hens do not relish it quite as well as they do wheat, but we 

 don't need to consult a hen's taste, only her needs and barley fills 

 her needs for an egg ration. 



Now about nine o'clock, give the hens their green feed or processed 

 oats if you have them and if feeding dry mash, of course the hoppers 

 should be opened up, so that the hens can help themselves. At noon, 

 if you do not feed dry mash, give a fairly good feed of moist mash, 



Even if you do feed dry mash a small feed of moist mash will be 

 very acceptable to the hens about noon; hens seem to relish it. If 

 you have sour milk with which to mix the mash you will get better 

 results. 



If the hens have dry mash before them, they will need no further 

 feed until the last meal, which should be of good sound grain, unless 

 you are well supplied with green feed, in which case give them some 



