Farm Poultry 233 



such as ground grain or stale bread just well moistened 

 in skim-milk. It makes little difference whether the milk 

 is fresh or sour. They should be given no more feed than 

 they will clean up promptly. The feed supplies to young 

 chickens, and older ones as well, should contain ground 

 bone or other form of mineral matter. It is not so im- 

 portant that they have animal food, as plenty of mineral 



Fig. 157. The Plymouth Rocks are often used for 

 mothers for Leghorns. 



matter and protein. The latter may be of either vegetable 

 or animal origin. Investigations for the cause of death 

 among young poultry showed that 15 per cent had tuber- 

 culosis, due no doubt to imperfect sanitation; 38 per cent 

 had intestinal troubles, and 75 per cent had diseased 

 livers, influenced no doubt by unbalanced rations. 

 (H 335.) Shelter, feeding and exercise are points to be 

 closely studied. The greatest losses which come to the 

 poultry raiser are those due to disease in young stock 

 and, too, from diseases that can be prevented. 



