580 DOMESTIC ANIMALS, DAIRYING, ETC. 



important on cold winter mornings. In the middle of the day a 

 warm moistened mash should be given, about what they will eat 

 within fifteen or twenty minutes, and at night, about an hour before 

 they go to roost, a liberal feed of grain should be scattered in the 

 litter. , 



Frequency of Feeding. Some poultrymen feed their flocks twice 

 a day, while others feed them three times a day. The best plan is to 

 feed fowls in confinement three times a day and those having free 

 range in summer twice a day. When there is a very long interval 

 between feeds it is difficult to keep fowls busy which are kept in con- 

 finement. Idle fowls often contract bad habits, such as feather pull- 

 ing and egg eating, besides going out of condition from lack of exer- 

 cise. In case it is not convenient to feed three times a day, the 

 moistened mash may be fed in the morning, and at the same time 

 the noon feed of grain may be scattered in the litter, which will keep 

 the fowls busy a great part of the day. For those who can not con- 

 veniently feed their fowls early in the morning a good plan is to 

 scatter grain plentifully in the litter after the birds have gone to 

 roost. This grain will furnish feed for the early morning. Some 

 poultry keepers can look after their fowls only once a day. If this is 

 in the morning, moistened mash may be fed, followed by throwing 

 grain in the litter to furnish feed for the remainder of the day. If 

 it is in the evening, before dark, a moistened mash may be given, 

 and either after the fowls go to roost or in the morning, before day- 

 light, grain may be scattered in the litter for eating during the day. 



Amount of Feed. It is impossible to state any exact quantity 

 of feed that should be given to each fowl per day, as the appetites of 

 the birds vary according to the conditions under which they are kept, 

 the season of the year, and the kind of fowl, some being much greater 

 eaters than others. The general rule is to keep the birds slightly 

 hungry during the day, not giving all they will eat until just before 

 roosting time. The birds should be handled now and then when they 

 ore on the perch, and if they are either too fleshy or too poor their 

 rations should be modified. 



Importance of a Varied Ration. In feeding grain the aim of 

 the feeder should be to give a variety. No one kind of grain alone is 

 best. Variety may be secured by mixing the grains or by feeding the 

 different kinds of grain on different days. This variety is in accord- 

 ance with nature. When on free range the fowls obtain a little of 

 several different kinds of feed. Grain should not be made the sole 

 feed, for then fat and not eggs is the usual result. 



Effect of Feed on Character of Egg. In extreme cases the flavor 

 and the odor of the feed have been imparted to the egg. Onions have 

 been fed in sufficient quantity to bring about this effect. Feeds of 

 high and objectionable flavor should not be fed by those who desire 

 to produce a first-class article. In no case should tainted feed be 

 allowed to enter into the ration. Feed also has an influence on the 

 color of the yolk. Corn fed exclusively will give a deep yellow or 

 highly colored yolk, while wheat fed alone will produce a much 

 lighter-colored yolk, A fairly high-colored yolk is usually preferred 



