Grade. 

 Date. . 



EXERCISE 17 

 THE CARE OF THE LAYING PEN 



Object. — To become practically familiar with the details incidental to 

 the feeding and daily care of the laying flock. 



Note. — If possible every student should be assigned one pen of birds for a 

 given period, in order that he or she may practice personally the steps in this 

 exercise. If individual practice work is impossible the entire class should be 

 allowed at least one afternoon in which to see these chores performed in the 

 proper manner by the instructor. 



Equipment. — One or more completely equipped laying pens filled with 

 birds, all necessary feed, tools and appliances required for daily chores. 



Procedure. — Chore schedule for laying and breeding flocks. This must be 

 slightly modified for winter and summer conditions. 



Step 1. — 7 a. m. daily: 



(a) Feed morning grain ration, scattering it well in deep litter, about one 

 pound to every twenty birds. 



(6) Fill drinking vessels with clean, fresh water, being sure to rinse pans 

 before refilling. 



(c) Inspect dry mash hopper, being sure that mash is plentiful and 

 feeding properly. 



(d) Release birds from house, if they have been confined during the night. 

 Step 2.— 10 to 11 A. M. daily: 



(a) Feed mangel beets or other succulence. 



(6) Refill any water vessels which are nearly empty. 



(c) Clean dropping boards and cover same with thin layer of gypsum 

 (land plaster) or ground phosphate rock. 



Step 3. — 4 p. M. daily: 



(a) Feed night grain ration, scattering same well in deep litter at the 

 rate of one pound to ten birds. 



(h) Add fresh water to any pans which seem to be low. 



(c) Collect eggs and record in proper column on egg record. 

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