It>8 BIGGIE POULTRY BOOK. 



I would have no other feeding. I keep finely cracked 

 grains in little boxes continually before them. It is 

 fun to watch them. They will eat a few mouthfuls, 

 take a swallow of water, and then scamper off for a 

 run. In a few moments they return and repeat the 

 dose. They never gorge themselves, and when they 

 feel a little hungry there is the food right at hand. 



There has been more or less criticism about the 

 different " systems" in use, and there are no doubt 

 good reasons for some of it. But, after all, I believe 

 there is something to learn from all of them. 



For instance, I was attracted by an advertisement 

 of a certain "system " which shall be nameless, and 

 invested a dollar in it. In return I received a small, 

 poorly printed leaflet. Harriet said I threw my dollar 

 away, but when I had carefully read its brief contents 

 I could see a really good idea in it. The plan is to 

 have a house of two pens ; one is about three times the 

 size of the other. In the larger pen is quartered the 

 flock of hens ; in the smaller one is the male bird. 

 In the partition between the pens a trap nest is ar- 

 ranged, with two openings. As the hen enters the 

 nest to lay, the trap closes, and after she has finished 

 laying goes out the rear of the nest into the other yard 

 where the male bird is quartered. When night comes 

 the laying hens are all over with the male bird, and 

 they may then be returned to their own side of the 

 house. This is continued daily. In the morning the 

 male is alone in his yard. Of course only a small 

 number of hens, say not more than ten or twelve, 

 should be used in the experiment. I think I can 

 plainly see another advantage in this method. As 



