ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS 



land and housing space, will cause much trouble during the devel- 

 oping period. With small flocks it may be possible to rear birds 

 satisfactorily on limited range or in bare yards, but this is the 

 exception. Such a plan requires more time and expensive methods 

 of feeding. Many large farms have tried limited range for the 

 growing birds, and have abandoned the practice. Large areas 

 for young stock are preferred even if close confinement is prac- 

 tised with the layers. Abundance of range room not only means 

 more vigor, but it also aids in reducing the cost of feeding. Much 

 feed can be obtained from worms and insects. If the range is 

 properly seeded in alfalfa or other leguminous crops, the grains 

 fed can be reduced in proportion to the amount of such green 

 feed available. 



Green feed is absolutely essential during the growing period, 

 and can most economically be supplied by growing it on the range. 

 Where limited range is attempted, considerable expense must be 

 incurred in supplying green feed from an outside source in the 

 form of cabbage, grass clippings, or sprouted grains. A range 

 which can be kept seeded down to permanent sod is the best. 

 When birds are kept in such numbers as to destroy the grass, 

 it will be found desirable to divide the range and practise rota- 

 tion. Raise quick-growing succulent crops and allow the birds 

 to eat them directly, first from one yard, then from another 

 (Chapter IX). 



The crops used (Fig. 172) should be planted early, the wheat 

 and rye being seeded as soon as the birds leave in the fall, and the 

 peas and oats as early as possible in the spring. The corn should 

 be seeded so that it will be about one foot high before the birds 

 are placed on the range in the spring. With this rotation the 

 birds are provided with an abundance of green feed, and the 

 corn furnishes plenty of shade. Each year the practice should be 

 to move the rotation one series ahead, to bring a new crop on 

 each plat. This will necessitate moving the houses, and it is 

 better to place them in the wheat, since that is the first crop 

 ready for feeding. This yearly moving also does away with the 

 danger of disease about the houses. 



An abundance of shade is necessary for a normal healthy devel- 

 opment. The most desirable shade is that which is made by a 

 growing plant, as it is much cooler and gives off considerable 

 moisture (Fig. 171). The best practice is to plant the range in 

 fruit trees, such as peaches, plums, or apples. An old apple or 



