MAINE AGRICULTURAL HX PKRIMLXT STATIOX. 45 



of dry pine shavings and straw. The shavings can 1)e obtained 

 in this part of the country from box mihs in bales, which are 

 sold at a price of from 5 to 10 cents per bale. These shavings are 

 spread on the floor of the pen to a depth of some 5 to 7 inches. 

 From 6 to 8 bales will cover the fl.oor of a pen which accommo- 

 dates from TOO to 125 birds. On top of these shavings is spread 

 a thin layer of straw. Straw which has not been baled is pre- 

 ferred because it is less liable to be broken and will consequently 

 wear longer in the pen. This combination of straw and shav- 

 ings gives excellent satisfaction as a litter. The straw serves 

 the purpose of protecting the shavings so that they last a longer- 

 time than would otherwise be the case before tiiey are finally 

 worked up into a mass of fine material wdiich packs down and 

 becomes damp. The shavings became damp much less quickh^ 

 than does a litter of straw ^lone. This is because they are 

 finer, ani the birds can keep them w^orked over much more 

 thoroughly. This constantly exposes and dries out new portions- 

 of the mass of litter. Using this combination of shavings and 

 straw it is not usually found necessary to change the litter in 

 the pens oftener than once in three months. 



It is in regard to the dry mash portion of the ration in which 

 the changes already referred to have been made. The dry 

 mash which was formerly used at the Station had the following" 

 composition : 



Pounds. 



Wheat bran 200 



Corn meal 100 



Daisy flour (or other low-grade flour) 100 



( jluten meal or brewers' grains 100 



Linseed meal 100 



Beef scrap 100 



The experience of the Station with this mash extending" as it 

 has over a number of years has indicated that it was somewhat 

 too rich. ■ The relatively large amount of such concentrated 

 feeds as linseed meal and gluten meal seemed to make too rich 

 a ration for. the well-being of the fowls. During the years 

 when this mash was fed more or less difficulty was always ex- 

 perienced with liver troubles in the birds. Birds died with all 

 the symptoms that would be expected to come from indigestion 

 arisina: from feedins; too rich food. 



