554 THE VETERINARY SCIENCE 



The general condition of both male and female should 

 be medium. By this we mean that they should not be too 

 thin nor yet too fat — one is as detrimental to the production 

 of fertile eggs as the other. There is, however, less danger 

 of sterility in hens extremely thin than in those extremely 

 fat. 



The diet should be varied. Plenty of grit, oyster shell 

 and charcoal should be accessible at all times. Beef cut- 

 tings and clover are splendid dessert, during the winter and 

 spring before there is a chance to get outside; in fact, any 

 kind of green stuff — turnips, mangels, etc. The bulk of the 

 food should be wheat and oats, but screenings, buckwheat, 

 and other seeds may be given. It is a mistaken idea that 

 fowl may be fed any old way at all. They should be fed 

 regularly and as nearly as possible what they require and 

 no more. Better to feed hard, dry food among the chaff and 

 straw on the floor than in a trough, as in this manner plenty 

 of exercise is obtained. Supply plenty of fresh water, as 

 stale water is just as injurious to them as to any other ani- 

 mal. Milk is also good. Soft food should also be given 

 periodically. 



The hen house should be warm, dry, well-ventilated and 

 free from contamination (See description of a model poultry 

 house). Even should such be the case, plenty of freedom 

 in the open air is all the better, as plenty of exercise is 

 necessary to the production of fertile eggs. However, when 

 the weather, as it is during much of the Canadian winter, is 

 such as to prevent this, provision should be made for as 

 much exercise as possible. To accomplish this there should 

 be a large shed, such as to protect from cold winds and rain, 

 in which to run during the day. This shed should have 

 provision for scratching and dusting in the ground and for 

 this reason js better without a board floor. Straw or chaff 

 should be thrown about the floor, but changed frequently — 

 once a week at least. Provision, of course, should be made 

 for an abundant supply of sunlight. Here is a suggestion 

 that we consider good, namely: A little grain thrown about 

 amongst the straw in the scratching shed after they have 

 gone to roost will keep the fowl busy in the early morning 

 and the exercise may prevent them catching cold before 

 being fed at the usual time. 



