METHODS OF FEEDING 261 



The mash used during the year 1912-13 was as follows 

 by weight: 



Bran 4 parts 



Middlings 1 part 



Ground Barley 1 part 



Ground Corn 1 part 



Linseed Meal V<z part 



Milk 8 parts 



Salt is added at the rate of about 4 ounces per hen per 

 year. The proportion of bran is reduced in case the drop- 

 pings show a watery condition. 



The mash is thoroughly mixed and fed as soon in the 

 morning as the fowls are ready to eat and before they have 

 had anything else. The amount of mash, dry material, 

 averages about one ounce per hen per day. The amount 

 fed does not vary very much from morning to morning, but 

 if there should be any left in the trough for more than an 

 hour after feeding, it is taken away and next day less is 

 fed. Then the amount is increased as their appetite for 

 mash increases, until they are getting the normal amount. 

 The idea is to get them to eat as much as possible in about 

 an hour. 



The Skill of the Feeder comes in largely in so feeding 

 that the fowls will eat the required amount of the mash 

 of ground grains. A heavy laying hen requires a full crop 

 of grain at night, but there should not be any whole grain 

 left over night for them to eat in the morning, otherwise 

 enough mash will not be eaten. 



Feeding the Oats. About ten to eleven o'clock a feed 

 of oats is given. This is thrown in the litter, just enough 

 to keep the fowls busy scratching for an hour or two. 



Feeding the Wheat. In the afternoon or evening, or 

 between two and three o'clock during the short days, be- 



