COMMON POULTRY FOODS 247 



clover and alfalfa are probably the most satisfactory green 

 food we have. In coast regions, where it grows throughout 

 the year, the thousand-headed kale by reason of its heavy 

 yielding quality is probably the most profitable green food 

 to grow. But it may be supplemented by other green food 

 such as clover, alfalfa or lawn clippings. 



Grit. ' l The hen coins silver out of sand. ' ' The chickens 

 need grit as well as the poultryman, but of a different kind. 

 There are two views about chicken grit, and I do not pre- 

 tend to reconcile them. One view is that the -chief function 

 of grit is to grind the food; the other is that grit itself is 

 food. Whatever the function, we know that grit is a neces- 

 sary part of the diet, and the health and productiveness of 

 the fowls require a liberal consumption of grit. On most 

 farms, where the fowls have the liberty of the fields, they 

 will pick up all the grit necessary, but on soils having little 

 or no sand or gravel, and where the fowls are confined in 

 yards, it is absolutely necessary to furnish grit just as 

 regularly as food. With a gravel bed located near the 

 'poultry * yards, the grit question is easily and cheaply 

 solved. Give them plenty of sharp gravel and sand to work 

 over. Where this is not available, grit may be cheaply 

 purchased at the poultry supply houses. Keep it where 

 the hens can get it at any time. 



Egg-shell Material. Ordinary grit probably furnishes 

 material for egg shells, but in addition it will be found ad- 

 visable to feed special shell material. The grains do not con- 

 tain lime enough to furnish sufficient shell material for 

 heavy laying hens. Ordinary sea shells and especially oyster 

 shells are largely used for this purpose. They are very 

 readily dissolved in the gizzard. The egg-eating habit 

 among hens is sometimes acquired because of a scarcity of 

 lime or shell material in the ration. 



Charcoal is a bowel regulator, and most of the successful 



