BBBEDINQ AND MANAGEMENT OF POULTRY. 1165 



farm any warm out house will afford comfortable quarters, and range 

 enough is provided in the out fields. On the 

 farm in summer fowls will pick up a good 

 share of their living, insects chiefly, and 

 thus, while partly supporting themselves, 

 they are at the same time profiting their 

 owner by the destruction of insect pests. In 

 fact, fowls, if allowed, will wander consider- 

 able distances in search of food, as illustrated 

 -n the cut "Foraging for themselves." 



Those who keep fowls i.i villages and subur- ^^^^^^^^ ^,^^ themselves. 

 ban places, must provide animal food and 



also green vegetable food in addition to the grain fed. This, with com 

 fortable quarters, care in feeding, and due attention to the health of the 

 birds, constitute about all there is practically in poultry raising, except 

 that pure breeds are kept with a view to the rearing of very superior 

 birds. In the latter case a more careful study of the anatomy, physiology, 

 and points of fowls must be made as in breeding any other animals. 



Xn. Proper Food of Fowls. 

 Fowls need a variety of food ; they are nearly omniverous feeders. 

 Animal food is essential, but the bulk of the feeding may be grain, either 

 raw or ground. If mixed feed (ground grain) is used, have the dough so 

 stiff that it will not run ; never feed sloppy food. Indian meal and pota- 

 toes boiled and mashed together, so stiff that the dough clings when 

 squeezed in the hand, is one of the best of foods. Feed on clean ground 



never in a trough in summer, since moist food so fed will inevitably 



become sour, and the troughs are seldom properly cleaned. In winter, 

 ground feed should be fed as hot as the hens can eat it, and a little chop- 

 ped onion mixed m is excellent; provide other green food also, as cab- 

 bage leaves. For animal food, a sheep's pluck, hung so high that the 

 fowls can just reach it, is excellent ; so are the greaves from trying 

 establishments. To keep the hens in good laying condition, they must 

 have animal food, and also bones broken so fine that they may be easily 

 swallowed. Very little meat, however, is necessary, for if too much is fed 

 the fowls may lose their feathers. Whole grain, and the drinking water 

 should be kept in some receptacle, so the fowls may take it at pleasure. 

 The grain fed may be screenings from wheat, rye, buckwheat and oats. 



Xm. Poultry Houses and Coops. 

 Poultry houses, however simple, should be both warm in winter and 

 well ligbtec?'. The sjcje containing the glass should face the South for the 



