POULTRY RAISING ON THE FARM 287 



The following practice suggested by the poultry depart- 

 ment of Cornell University is a good summary of the essen- 

 tials of how to feed laying hens: "The fowls should eat about 

 one-half as much mash by weight as whole grain. Regulate 

 the proportion of grain and ground feed by giving a light feed- 

 ing of grain in the morning and about all they will consume 

 at the afternoon feeding (in time to find grain before dark). 

 In the case of pullets or fowls in heavy laying, restrict both 

 night and morning feeding to induce heavy eating of mash, 

 especially in case of hens. This ration should be supplemented 

 with beets, cabbage, sprouted oats, green clover, or other 

 succulent feed, unless running on grass covered range. Grit, 

 cracked oyster shell, and charcoal should be accessible at all 

 times. Green feeds should not be fed in frozen condition. 

 All feed and litter used should be strictly sweet, clean, and 

 free from mustiness, mold, or decay. Serious losses frequently 

 occur from disease, due to fowls taking into their bodies, 

 through their intestinal tract or lungs, the spores of 

 molds." 



Housing. The proper housing of poultry is often neg- 

 lected. The prevailing notion seems to be that any kind of 

 a shelter is good enough for chickens. This is far from true, 

 for it is quite essential that they should have clean, dry, 

 warm, well- ventilated quarters. Plenty of space should be 

 provided, the general rule being four square feet of floor space 

 for each fowl. A house six by eight feet and seven feet high 

 will be large enough for twelve hens. Several houses small 

 enough to be readily moved are sometimes more desirable 

 than one large one. Plans and details for construction of 

 various types of poultry houses may be obtained from the 

 poultry department of any state agricultural college or agricul- 

 tural experiment station. 



