32 Soft Food. 



11 It is indispensable," says Mr. Dickson, " to give the 

 potatoes to fowls not only in a boiled state, but hot ; not 

 so hot, however, as to burn their mouths, as they are 

 stupid enough to do if permitted. They dislike cold pota- 

 toes, and will not eat them willingly. It is likewise 

 requisite to break all the potatoes a little, for they will not 

 unfrequently leave a potato when thrown down unbroken, 

 taking it, probably, for a stone, since the moment the skin 

 is broken and the white of the interior is brought into 

 view, they fall upon it greedily. When pieces of raw 

 potatoes are accidentally in their way, fowls will sometimes 

 eat them, though they are not fond of these, and it is 

 doubtful whether they are not injurious." 



Mangold- wurtzel, swedes, or other turnips, boiled with 

 a very small quantity of water, until quite soft, and then 

 thickened with the very best middlings or meal, is the 

 very best soft food, especially for Dorkings. 



Soft food should always be mixed rather dry and friable, 

 and notporridgy, for they do not like sticky food, which 

 clings round their beaks and annoys them, besides often 

 causing diarrhoea. There should never be enough water in 

 food to cause it to glisten in the light. If the soft food is 

 mixed boiling hot at night and put in the oven, or covered 

 with a cloth, it will be warm in the morning, in which state 

 it should always be given in cold weather. 



Fowls have their likes and dislikes as well as human 

 beings, some preferring one kind of grain to all others, 

 which grain is again disliked by other fowls. They also 

 grow tired of the same food, and will thrive all the 

 better for having as much variety of diet as possible, some 

 little change in the food being made every few days. 

 Fowls should not be forced or pressed to take food to 

 which they show a dislike. It is most important to give 

 them chiefly that which they like best, as it is a rule, 

 with but few exceptions, that what is eaten with most 

 relish agrees best and is most easily digested ; but care 

 must be taken not to give too much, for one sort of grain 

 being more pleasing to their palate than another, induces 

 them to eat gluttonously more than is necessary or healthy. 



