FOODS AND FEEDING 



less caution, and indeed in most cases may be fed 

 with comparative liberality. Always feed corn in 

 the evening, rather than during the day. 



Oats are an excellent poultry feed, but fowls do 

 not, ordinarily, take to them as readily as they do 

 to wheat and corn. Oats are good for 

 growing stock, going largely to build 

 up muscle and flesh; and make an ideal summer 

 food for old fowls, because they are neither heat- 

 ing nor fattening, and are small enough to induce 

 plenty of exercise when scattered in litter. Rolled 

 oats are excellent for baby chicks, and ground oats 

 for growing stock. 



That the sharp, pointed hulls of oats may dam- 

 age or even pierce the fowl's craw is a common 

 belief in some sections of America, but this is a 

 fallacy over which no one ordinarily need worry. 

 If the fowls are allowed to frequently gorge them- 

 selves on oats, or if the oats used are very sharp 

 and stiff, some trouble may be experienced in this 

 direction; but a good grade of oats used judiciously 

 will do no harm whatever. 



Buckwheat, while no better than the three staple 

 grains just mentioned, may often be used to good 

 Miscellaneous advantage to make variety in the 

 Grains ration. 



Kaffir corn is relished by fowls almost as much 

 as Indian corn, and may be fed with less caution, 

 as it is less fattening. 



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