AMERICAN POULTRY CULTURE 



warm-weather grains. Very little, if any, corn 

 should be fed. The greatest abuse of corn and the 

 cause of much of its adverse criticism lies in the 

 failure of those who satisfactorily feed large quan- 

 tities of it during the winter to reduce the amount 

 fed during warm weather. More or less green 

 food is essential, and if available may well compose 

 a large part of the fowl's ration during warm 

 weather, thus materially lessening feeding expenses. 

 Shade of some kind must be provided for both 

 fowls and chicks, so that during the warm hours 

 of midday they can find protection from the hot 

 sun, exposure to which is debilitating and harmful 

 to the health, comfort, plumage and color of the 

 bird. While shade is exceedingly pleasing to fowls, 

 it cannot be entirely considered in the light of a 

 luxury, but is an absolute necessity. Of course 

 natural shade from trees or bushes is the best, but 

 if this is lacking it is an easy matter to provide arti- 

 ficial shade by making a framework and covering 

 with old boards or old oilcloth or carpet, or any 

 other such material. This can be set up on posts 

 several feet above the ground and left open on all 

 four sides to permit a free circulation of air. It 

 should be substantially constructed, so that it may 

 be moved every few days, for if left long at one 

 place the ground underneath it will become foul 

 and unhealthy. The atmosphere inside the coop 

 may be made cool and fresh on hot days by sprink- 



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