98 FIRST LE3SONS IN POULTRY KEEPING. 



that is, quite bare of feathers, and not laying, in September and October, though often hens 

 that keep on laying in the fall do not get right down to growing the new plumage until 

 November. 



Rations for Molting Hens. 



The food requirements of the molting ben do not differ materially from those of the laying 

 hen. Some authorities prescribe rations rich in protein and low in lats, as containing in better 

 proportion the elements required for feather production. 



I began by using such rations, but soon discovered that my hens molted better, growing a 

 much better and glossier cout of feathers if fed a ration rich in fats. Experience in this respect 

 has been the same with hens molting in midsummer, and those molting in late fall, except that 

 the hens molting in summer molted much more quickly and often laid continuously right 

 through the molt. For many years my method of feeding molting hens has been : 

 Morning. Mash as in Mash No. 1, Lesson I., but nearly half corn meal. 

 Noon. (or all day feed) Wheat or barley broadcasted in the yards. 

 Evening. Cracked corn scattered in the yards, followed just before the hens go to roost 



by as much more cracked corn, fed either in troughs or handfuls on the ground. 

 Cabbage before the fowls all the time. 



Generally hens do not all molt alike. Some molt quickly, others slowly. It is a good plan, 

 whenever practicable, to keep them sorted over, and have all hens in one pen or lot very nearly 

 in the same condition. 



