576 DOMESTIC ANIMALS, DAIRYING, ETC. 



"mash" systems, although in the dry-feed system a dry mash is often 

 fed. Dry feeding is used by many where it is not convenient to 

 make and feed a moistened mash. The greatest advantages to be de- 

 rived from the dry system are the saving of labor and the lessened 

 danger of bowel trouble resulting from sloppy or soured mashes. 



Dry Feeding. In the dry-feed system for laying hens, as suc- 

 cessfully practiced on a New York poultry farm, the whole grains 

 fed are as follows, in the proportions indicated : 200 pounds cracked 

 corn ; 360 pounds wheat ; 130 pounds oats. 



This mixture is scattered in the litter early in the morning and 

 again at about 11.30 a. m., and this inducas abundant exercise. A 

 hopper containing a dry mash is hung against the wall. The mash 

 is made up of the following ingredients, in the proportions indicated 

 (by measure) : 32 parts corn meal; 30 parts meat (animal) meal; 

 30 parts ground alfalfa; 2 parts oyster shell; 1 part grit; 1 part char- 

 coal. 



The hopper containing this mash is opened about an hour after 

 the noon feed of grain, or about 12.30 p. m., and the fowls have 

 access to it for the remainder of the day. Of all grain feeds that are 

 usually supplied to farm poultry, corn has been and still is the most 

 popular, which is probably due to its abundance and relative cheap- 

 ness, and because it is the most relished of all the grains. Corn is 

 heating and fattening, and when fed to closely confined fowls in 

 large quantities fat rather than eggs is the usual result, and it should 

 be balanced with meat, bone, linseed, gluten, and such feeds as are 

 rich in nitrogenous matter, for corn is deficient in this constituent. 

 When corn is fed to laying hens that have opportunity to take plenty 

 of exercise and to secure insects and green feed, much more satis- 

 factory results are likely to be obtained than when it is fed to the 

 same fowls closely confined. It may be fed quite largely in the 

 cold climates during winter, but should be fed sparingly during 

 summer. 



Wheat is generally considered the safest grain to be fed alone. 

 It is not quite so fattening as corn, still is too fattening when fed 

 alone. This grain should be supplemented by some meat feed or 

 skimmed milk to increase the proportion of protein. Wheat con- 

 tains more protein than corn, about the same amount of carbo- 

 hydrates, but less fat, and on the whole is considered not so valuable 

 for fattening, but better for growth. Wheat screenings, if they are 

 of a good grade, can frequently be purchased and fed to advantage. 

 Of course there is always the danger of introducing weed seed on the 

 farm. "Burnt wheat" can seldom be fed advantageously, the differ- 

 ence in price between this and good wheat being usually too slight 

 to warrant one in feeding it. 



Oats are often fed for variety, but are not well liked unless 

 (hulled, the hulls being tough and rather indigestible. Hulled oats, 

 on the other hand, are relished by poultry and are excellent for pro- 

 ducing eggs. When they can be obtained at a reasonable price in 

 comparison with other grains they may be fed quite largely. Barley 

 does not seem to be greatly relished by hens, but may be used to 



