999 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 49 



QUESTION What is a suitable mixture to use in a cramming 

 machine for fattening fowls ? 



ANSWER Corn meal two parts, ground buckwheat 2 parts, 

 ground oats one part, mixed with skim milk to the consistency of 

 gruel. 



QUESTION Will fowls fatten quicker and better if confined in 

 small coops than if allowed to run in a large pen ? 

 ANSWER Yes. 



QUESTION Is it profitable to feed condition powder to fowls 

 regularly ? 



ANSWER No. The less fed the better. 



QUESTION W 7 hat are the principal foods that are suitable, and 

 of value, for fowls? 



ANSWER The various grains, including wheat, oats, corn, buck- 

 wheat, millet, barley, rye, etc., the two latter being not so desirable 

 as the first mentioned four. Millet is principally of value in feeding 

 young chicks. The numerous ground by-products of the various 

 grains are useful and are used in the form of "mash." Green food 

 is essential and may consist of any of the ordinary vegetables in the 

 form of roots, plants and vines. Green or growing vegetation of 

 most any kind is valuable, and especially clover alfalfa, rye, rape, cow 

 peas, soy beans, etc Animal food is also necessary in the form of 

 worms, bugs, insects and such animal life as the fowl obtains when 

 on range. When kept in confinement, animal food should be sup* 

 plied in the form of fresh meat scraps or ground green bone. Milk 

 in its various forms is particularly valuable and should be used 

 chiefly in wetting the mash. Table scraps may be fed sparingly, 

 mixed in the mash. 



QUESTION Of what value is oyster shell in feeding fowls ? 



ANSWER Oyster shell is not so valuable as is generally sup- 

 posed. Its chemical constituents are similar to those of the egg shell 

 as regards lime compounds particularly, and the feeding of oyster 

 shell is supposed to aid in producing material in the hen for form- 

 ing the shell of the egg. Oyster or other similar shell is not neces- 

 sary when proper food is given. It is supposed to prevent the lay- 

 ing of soft shelled eggs, but the laying of such eggs is generally con- 

 trolled by conditions over which the feeding of oyster shell has no 

 influence. 



QUESTION When is the best time to sow alfalfa for green 

 food? 



ANSWER August i.sth to September I5th. 



