24 THE PRACTICAL POULTRY KEEPER. 



probably, when the proprietor most requires his services, 

 may be attacked by apoplexy and drop down dead. On the 

 other hand, that fowls cannot be remunerative if starved 

 need scarcely be proved. The almost daily production of an 

 article so rich in nitrogen as an egg the very essence of 

 animal nourishment must demand an ample and regular 

 supply of adequate food. But we say no more upon this 

 point, knowing that the common mistake of amateur 

 poultry-keepers is upon the other side that of over- feeding. 



A common plan, where fowls are regularly fed at all, is 

 to give them at each meal as much barley or oats as they 

 will eat ; this being done, the owner prides himself upon 

 his liberality, and insists that his, at least, are properly fed. 

 Both in quantity and quality is he mistaken. Grain will do 

 for the regular meals of fowls which live on a farm, or have 

 any other extensive range where they can provide other food 

 for themselves, have abundant exercise, and where their 

 digestive organs are kept in vigorous action. But poultry 

 kept in confinement on such a diet will not thrive. Their 

 plumage, after a while, begins to fall off, their bowels 

 become affected, and they lose greatly in condition ; and 

 though in summer their eggs may possibly repay the food 

 expended, it will be almost impossible to obtain any in 

 winter, when they are most valuable. 



And some who profess to correct such errors are not 

 always safe guides. We remember a work by a writer who, 

 of all others, has been most intolerant, and even unjust to 

 other supposed rival authorities, in which, just after a caution 

 against over-feeding, five pounds of barley-meal, ten pounds 

 of potatoes, seven pounds of oats, three pounds of rice 

 boiled, and three pounds of scalded bran, is given as a week's 

 allowance for five hens and a cock " of the larger kinds," it 

 is true. At the lowest ordinary prices the cost of such a 

 scale would amount to 4 45. in the course of twelve 



