578 DOMESTIC ANIMALS, DAIRYING, ETC. 



Miscellaneous Feeds. Chickens eat a large amount of animal 

 matter in the form of insects, worms, and other low forms of animal 

 life when allowed to range at will. If the poultry keeper is to get 

 the best results from his fowls in winter he must furnish a substitute 

 for this class of feed. For this purpose green cut bone, meat scraps, 

 and animal meal may be used. Green cut bone is usually fed by 

 itself, while the scraps and meal may be readily mixed with the mash. 

 Cut bone consists of green or fresh bone sliced or shaved into thin 

 pieces by a bone cutter. Bones fresh from the butcher have more 

 or less meat adhering, and the more of such meat the better, for the 

 combination of bone and meat is excellent for producing eggs. Where 

 a good supply of fresh bone can be obtained regularly it is very use- 

 ful but it can not be kept sweet for as long a period as the beef scraps 

 and animal meal. Green cut bone should be fed carefully and in a 

 sweet condition, otherwise bowel trouble may result. One pound a 

 day is sufficient for 20 hens, but not over one-half pound should be 

 fed to that number when first beginning to feed it. From one-half 

 to three-fourths pound of animal meal or meat scraps may be fed to 

 12 or 15 hens. Any form of meat is likely to loosen the bowels of 

 the hen when first fed, and the hens should be watched carefully and 

 not fed too much. After the fowls have become accustomed to the 

 animal meal or meat scraps it may be kept constantly before them. 



Green Feed. If the best results are to be obtained with poultry 

 they must be furnished with a plentiful supply of green feed. Where 

 fowls have unlimited range on a farm they will secure green feed 

 during the spring, but during the winter it must be supplied for 

 them. The question of how to supply the best feed at the least cost 

 is one that each poultry keeper must decide largely for himself. It 

 will probably make but little difference what kind of green feed is 

 supplied provided it is relished by the fowls. Cabbages, turnips, 

 beets, potatoes, etc., are suitable for this purpose. The larger roots 

 and the cabbages may be suspended by means of a wire or string, or 

 they may be placed on the floor, in which case it would be well to 

 split the turnips or beets lengthwise with a large knife. Potatoes and 

 turnips should be fed cooked. The mangel is an excellent root for 

 feeding raw. Cut clover soaked in boiling water fed alone or with 

 the mash is good. Clover meal and ground alfalfa make very good 

 feeds for this purpose. Where the fowls are yarded and not enough 

 green feed is furnished by the yards, a small patch of clover, alfalfa, 

 or rape may be sown. Any one of these, if frequently mowed, will 

 furnish a great quantity of green feed in a form which is relished by 

 the fowls. ^ Canada field peas may also be sown for this purpose, and 

 when fed in a tender, crisp condition are eaten readily. Rye is a 

 good crop for late fall and early spring, for it will germinate and grow 

 in^very cold weather and will live through the winter. As a general 

 thing, fowls should have once a day about all the green feed they 

 will eat. 



Hay. Clover Hay may be fed economically to laying hens and 

 may be prepared as follows: Cut into as short lengths as possible 

 (one-fourth to one-half inch) and place in a bucket. Then pour 



