FARM ANIMALS. 45 



as grain, should always be fed to hens that are confined. It 

 is very important that ducks should have these foods, especially 

 growing ducklings. 



Some form of grit should be liberally supplied. 



A largely grain ration will not contain the lime required by 

 laying hens, and oyster-shells or some other form of carbonate 

 of lime will supply this deficiency. 



A grass run is better than any substitute in summer, but no 

 run should contain hens in such a number as to kill the grass. 



Common fowls, especially laying hens, must be kept in moder- 

 ately small flocks. Where large numbers are kept, they should 

 be divided in small lots in separate pens and yards. Ten to 

 twenty in a pen give better results than larger numbers, although 

 flocks twice as large can be profitably managed by experienced 

 poultrymen. The laying hens should be kept separated from 

 those not laying. 



Hens will not always moult early enough to resume laying 

 before midwinter. Chicks should be hatched in March and 

 April if eggs are to be obtained from the pullets in November, 

 Asiatics, to begin laying in the fall, should be hatched in February 

 and March. 



The best results in every respect cannot be secured where the 

 average space of open run available per hen is much less than 

 IOC square feet. The average floor-space per hen indoors should 

 be about lo square feet. 



Exercise is of the utmost importance, especially for laying and 

 breeding stock, and a good way to assure this in winter-time 

 is to scatter the grain in straw or any clean and dry substitute. 



Dampness is fatal, and dry warm houses free from draughts 

 are essential in winter. The floors should be of dry earth or 

 fine gravel, or wooden floors covered with straw or dry sand. 

 The houses should be warm enough to prevent freezing of water, 

 but should not be warmed by heating apparatus more than will 

 insure against freezing. 



