WINTER EGG PRODUCTION 113 



the necessary exercise and keep the hens in good 

 laying condition. At noon give them a warm mash 

 of ground grain, mixed with either skim milk or 

 water, not sloppy but mixed to a crumbly mass. Feed 

 just enough to be consumed quickly so that there 

 will be none left over to get cold and sour. Table 

 scraps added to this mash will be found beneficial 

 and will be much relished by the fowls. Late in the 

 day the birds should have a supper composed of 

 corn, oats, and wheat or barley. A handful to each 

 fowl is about the correct amount, but it should vary 

 somewhat with the breed and weather conditions. 



The vegetable diet should not be overlooked, as 

 that is one of the principal items on the laying hen's 

 regular bill of fare, if the proper results are to be 

 attained. There are many kinds of vegetable foods 

 which can be used for this purpose, among them 

 clover, alfalfa, mangel roots, turnips, cabbages, etc. 

 A good way to feed cabbage is to hang a head on a 

 string and let the hens jump for it. This supplies 

 them with additional exercise. 



Quality of feed should also receive every consid- 

 eration. Do not feed any musty, moldy, or damaged 

 grain of any kind. Although such grains can be 

 purchased cheaper it is by far better to pay a little 

 more and get a good, healthful food. Experiments 

 have shown that the food consumed by a hen imparts 

 its flavor to the egg, just the same as the food given 

 the cow produces the flavor to the milk. Feed your 



