20 



scraps are incorporated in it. The grain mixture or scratch 



feed should be fed in the litter morning and night, the latter 



feeding to be given early enough so that the hens will have 



time to fill their crops before going to roost. Usually 2 to 



3 pints of scratch feed will be sufficient for tw^elve hens per 



day, about one-third of which should be fed in the morning and 



the balance in the afternoon. Cutting down the amount of 



scratch grain will compel them to eat more mash, and, as the 



latter is less expensive than the former, it is wise to encourage 



the hens to eat a large proportion of the cheaper feed. It is 



impossible to give the exact amount of feed for a flock of hens, 



as the quantity depends upon several variable factors. If hens 



were all of the same size and activity, laid the same number of 



eggs of the same size and weight, and all had the same power 



of digestion, the amount could easily be determined; but as 



these are variable factors it is impossible to specify a definite 



amount of grain. The amount of feed given is governed by 



quantity of grain found in the litter and hoppers at feeding 



time; this is a good gauge for the amateur. The feeding should 



not become too mechanical. The attendant should take plenty 



of time to do this important chore, and before scattering the 



grain in the litter should examine it to see if any grain is left 



from the previous feeding, and also if the wet mash has been 



eaten. After throwing out one or two handful s of grain he 



should step back and see how the birds take to their feed. A 



good feeder will occasionally feel of the birds' crops while they 



are on the roost at night. The judgment of the attendant is an 



important factor in feeding hens. Fresh water, oyster shell and 



grit are kept before the hens at all times. Mangels, beets and 



cabbages are fed during the winter months, supplemented with 



sprouted oats, but during the summer rape, spinach, Swiss 



chard, turnip tops and other green stuff are given in abundance. 



The green stuff is simply thrown into the yard, but the beets, 



mangels or cabbages can be hung from the ceiling with a string, 



high enough for the hens to pick, or they can be split open and 



placed in a trough or in a corner of the building, or jammed on 



to a spike driven into the wall. It is very important that the 



hens have plenty of water. I have visited poultry houses and 



found the water fountain empty and dry. There is no surer 



