CHAPTER IX 



METHODS OF FEEDING LAYING HENS 



Feeding is one of the most important factors in profit- 

 able egg production. On poor rations hens will live 

 and even keep in fair health and condition, but well-bal- 

 anced, palatable feeds are essential to get good egg pro- 

 duction and produce profitable results. The additional 

 cost of a good ration compared with a poor ration is re- 

 paid many times by the extra eggs obtained. The ration 

 does not have to be complex or contain all kinds of feeds 

 to produce good results, and as a rule the simplest feed 

 mixtures composed of home-grown grains or those readily 

 available, supplemented by meat scrap, sweet or sour milk, 

 will give the best results and will produce eggs at the 

 lowest cost. In addition to selecting the proper kinds of 

 feed, good methods used in feeding and proper manage- 

 ment of the fowls are very essential factors for success. 



The ration should consist of a scratch mixture made 

 up of the cheapest available grains which are well liked 

 by poultry. In addition, a mash should be fed which is 

 composed of ground grains, mill products and meat 

 scraps. The scratch mixture should usually consist of 

 two grains, and may contain more, as variety is beneficial, 

 but not essential if the additional variety is made up of 

 grains which are relatively high in price. A balanced ra- 



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