999 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 45 



QUESTION Are hard-boiled eggs good for newly hatched 

 chicks ? 



ANSWER In small quantities only. 



QUESTION Can too much raw meat be fed to fowls ? 

 ANSWER Yes. Severe indigestion and worms are two of the 

 evils attributed to overfeeding of meat. 



QUESTION Is millet seed an especially good feed for fowls ? 



ANSWER An exclusive diet of it is very injurious, and espe- 

 cially in the case of chicks. Its value is largely as a grain to scatter 

 in the litter to encourage exercise by scratching. 



QUESTION Will blood meal answer the purpose of all other 

 forms of animal food ? 



ANSWER No. Ordinary blood meal is of little value, and in 

 most cases fowls must be forced to eat it. 



QUESTION What is the "cramming" system of fattening? 



ANSWER This method of fattening is not practiced very ex- 

 tensively in this country. It is chiefly employed in France and Eng- 

 land. The fowl is confined in a coop just large enough for it to stand 

 comfortably, and at regular intervals" a quantity of semi-liquid food 

 is forced into the crop through a tube inserted in the throat and 

 extending from a drum-like receptacle mounted on three legs. The 

 machine is operated by foot power and the food consists of ground 

 grains mixed with milk, water, etc., to the consistency of thin mush. 



QUESTION When is the best time to give the mash food ? 



ANSWER Give it as the first meal in the morning. It is quickly 

 digested and the fowl, after remaining upon the perch for 12 hours 

 or more, needs something to satisfy the hunger quickly. It is claimed 

 by a few successful breeders that the mash should be given in the 

 evening for the reason that if given in the morning the fowls will 

 have their hunger satisfied and will not then take needed exercise 

 in hunting for grain or other food. This argument is based upon 

 the assumption that the fowls are overfed with the mash in the morn- 

 ing. This should be avoided. Give only enough to partially satisfy 

 the hunger and sharpen the appetite for additional food. If the. mash 

 be given at night it will be so quickly digested that the fowl will not 

 have the desired nourishment till morning. 



QUESTION What is the effect of overfeeding of green cut 

 bone? 



ANSWER A serious derangement of the digestive organs which 

 may lead to other diseases. * 



