76 THE HOME. POULTRY BOOK 
will thrive on it. This feed may be one of the pre- 
pared growing rations, so called, sold at the stores 
and containing many kinds of ground grain, as well 
as beef or fish scraps and alfalfa, or it may be noth- 
ing more than plain wheat bran with ten per cent. 
of good beef scraps added. Many good chicken 
growers are well satisfied to use this very inex- 
pensive ration year after year. 
The value of grass has been mentioned. Green 
stuff of some kind is essential. Broken pieces of 
lettuce and other vegetables are relished. Cut al- 
falfa may be bought if there is nothing at home 
available, but a little cold frame will serve to grow 
plenty of lettuce early in the season. Sprouted oats 
are excellent. They are prepared by soaking the 
oats over night in warm water and then spreading 
them in a box, having holes for drainage, so that 
they will cover the bottom one or two inches, and 
keeping them moist by sprinkling them daily. If 
kept in a warm place, they will soon throw out 
sprouts and may be fed when the sprouts are an inch 
long. It is better not to feed the roots to very young 
chicks. 
Water should be given the chickens from the first 
day, but in a receptacle of such shape that they can- 
