POULTRY FOR PROFIT 89 



eral boxes going a supply of succulent greens may 

 he had. 



Barley can be sprouted in the same way. 



Egg Makers 



Condimental foods, egg foods, egg makers, and 

 other preparations advertised to increase egg pro- 

 duction are at the best of doubtful value and often 

 positively injurious. These foods are all stimu- 

 lants, and a hen, while she may lay more eggs for 

 a time under their influence, will sooner or later 

 suffer from the reaction which follows every sort of 

 artificial stimulation. Feed a well-balanced ration, 

 with plenty of green feed at all times and fresh 

 meat when it can be had conveniently; plan for 

 variety in the diet; give a hot moist mash contain- 

 ing vegetables and cut up greens on cold mornings 

 or evenings. Above all, see that your hens have 

 exercise. This is the best egg maker known. 



Grit and Shell 



Shell is very necesary to the laying hen, for, while 

 she gets some lime in her food, she does not get 

 enough to make good, strong egg shells. Oyster 

 shell is better than clam shells for this purpose and 

 should be kept before laying hens at all times. It 

 is also necessary for growing chicks unless they 

 have access to gravel. 



Grit is called "the hen's teeth," and should be 

 kept before all ages of fowls. If the soil contains 

 a good many little stones, they may not eat much 

 grit, but it is safer to keep it where they can get 

 it. The fowl's gizzard is a powerful grinding ap- 

 paratus, but it needs something sharp to help pul- 

 verize the food, and grit is cheap. Especially im- 

 portant is a good supply of grit for young turkeys, 



