68 FEEDING OF FOWLS 



The fowls should eat about half as much mash by 

 weight as whole grain. Regulate the proportion of 

 grain and ground feed by giving a light feeding of 

 grain in the morning and about all they will consume 

 at the afternoon feeding (in time to find grain before 

 dark). In the case of pullets or fowls in heavy lay- 

 ing, restrict both night and morning feeding to induce 

 heavy eating of dry mash, especially in the case of 

 hens. This ration should be supplemented with beets, 

 cabbage, sprouted oats, green clover, or other succulent 

 food, unless running on grass-covered range. Grit, 

 cracked oyster shell, and charcoal should be ac- 

 cessible at all times. Green food should not be fed in 

 a frozen condition. All feed and litter used should be 

 strictly sweet, clean, and free from mustiness, mold, 

 or decay. Serious losses frequently occur from disease, 

 due to the fowls taking into their bodies, through their 

 intestinal tract or lungs, the spores of the fungus 

 causing molds. 



Rations for Sixteen Hens for 30 Da. The ac- 

 companying table contains twelve desirable rations for 

 feeding to hens. The quantities given in each division 

 are sufficient for feeding 16 hens for 30 da., and pro- 

 vide about 4 oz. of food daily for each hen. The whole 

 grain in all these rations is fed by hand; the meal 

 and meat in each is mixed together and fed either 

 as a wet or a dry mash. Rations (t) and (/) are 

 double, or two-part, rations. One-half of the daily 

 ration is fed from each; the two answer for 60 da. 

 Rations (a), (&), (c), and (d) are best suited to a 

 promiscuous lot of fowls ranging in age from 6 mo. to 

 several years. Rations (e), (/), (#), and (/t), being 

 largely composed of concentrated foods, are best suited 

 for laying hens. Rations (f) and (/) are for laying 

 hens that have free range and are able to pick up 

 insects enough to supply their demand for animal food. 

 Rations (f) and (fc) are fed in hoppers as dry mash. 

 The' molasses feed used should be of good quality. 

 Ration (/) consists of meals, wheat, and milk; the meals 



