42 EARLY FERTILITY 



of sufficient size to afford comfortable exercise to 

 the flock. 



One of the common mistakes is to overestimate 

 the capacity of a henhouse. Amateurs in their 

 desire to get as many eggs as possible from a flock 

 confined in a limited space are apt to keep more 

 hens than they should, with the result of less eggs, 

 infertile eggs, sickly chicks, lice, and disease in the 

 flock. My advice is to keep less and keep them 

 comfortable. 



The next point to consider in the production of 

 early fertile eggs is the supplying of vegetable 

 matter of such a quality and in such quantities as 

 they would be able to find when running at large 

 later in the season. 



This in many cases is a difficult problem with 

 the inexperienced poultry keeper, who is not versed 

 in the modern methods used by breeders to supply 

 such vegetation. One of the easiest green foods to 

 produce is sprouted oats, and it makes an excellent 

 feed for both laying hens and chicks. This can be 

 produced in racks in any warm room or basement, 

 and at a cost within the reach of every one. One 

 strong recommendation for sprouted oats is that it 

 can be grown rapidly and can be fed to the hens 

 fresh every day. Aside from that, it is tender and 

 juicy and much relished. 



Next to sprouted oats I would recommend well 



