146 INFERIOR FOOD 



poultry dealers, but even these must be of a high 

 grade and properly prepared. Always place the beef 

 scrap hoppers in a shady place, as the scraps are 

 very liable to be affected by exposure to the hot 

 summer sun. 



Do not feed the stock too heavy; overfeeding 

 causes the majority of cases of indigestion, bowel 

 trouble, diseases of the liver, and other ailments of 

 the intestines and crop. Poultry to be fattened for 

 the market can be fed heavily, but don't stuff the 

 layers or the growing chicks. There is no positive 

 rule on how much to feed each hen, or each chick 

 at its various size and age, and this knowledge can 

 only be gained by experience. Some birds require 

 more feed than others, and the only safe rule is to 

 feed them all that they will eat up clean at each 

 feeding. If fed too much the fowls will pick out 

 certain grains which they like the best and leave 

 the others, and in that way possibly be without the 

 very grains which are the best for them, and which 

 help to make a well balanced ration, mixed to pro- 

 duce certain results. Overfed hens will become 

 inactive and unprofitable. 



