WINTER MANAGEMENT OF THE LAYERS 271 



birds to maintain their body heat with a lower consumption of the 

 materials regularly supplied in the ration, and will help to keep up 

 the normal production. The feeding of hot mashes occasionally 

 during extremely cold weather will also help to keep them warm. 

 Exercise. Hens kept in close confinement, as is the case with 

 the laying flock in winter, should be made to take sufficient exer- 

 cise to keep the body in normal flesh without depositing surplus 

 fat. More care in this respect is required when the heavier breeds 

 are kept, such as Plymouth Rocks and Wyandottes; with Leg- 

 horns there is less danger. When not at liberty the exercise taken 



FIG. 137. A large-unit laying flock (500). An abundance of range and plenty of shade. 

 (Photo by Rancocas Poultry Farm.) 



by hens is principally walking and scratching, but birds in con- 

 finement can be compelled to exercise by placing practically all 

 their gram feed in deep litter on the floor of the house. Better 

 results can be obtained through the winter from birds kept closely 

 confined and induced to exercise hi this way than when they are 

 let out on wet snowy ground and chilled. The actual amount of 

 exercise necessary must be determined largely by the judgment 

 of the feeder and by the flesh condition of the birds in the flock. 

 Keep them plump, neither thin nor excessively fat. 



Health and Cleanliness. A healthy condition of the laying 

 birds is a fundamental requisite, and is best insured by keeping 

 everything about the poultry house sanitary. The breaking 

 out of head colds of a roupy nature in a flock of birds in the 



