54 METHODS OF POULTRY MANAGEMENT, 



filled flats are placed near the top of the closet so as to get the 

 maximum amount of heat, and in that way get the sprouts 

 started at once. During the first few days, until the sprouts 

 have become from a half to three-quarters of an inch long, the 

 oats are thoroughly stirred and raked over at least two or three 

 times during the day. This stirring insures an even distribu- 

 tion of moisture throughout the mass of oats in the flat. After 

 the sprouts become sufficiently long so that the oats form a 

 matted mass it is not desirable to stir them, or to disturb them 

 in any way. Stirring at that time will break ofl: and injure the 

 sprouts and the green portion above the mass will not grow so 

 well. The matter of prime importance in growing the oats 

 successfully has been found to be sufficient moisture. . The 

 tendency at first is to use too little moisture. The oats should 

 be kept quite w^et. The aim here is to keep condensed moisture 

 standing on the glass doors which form the front of the closet 

 at all times. In order to do this it is found necessary to wet 

 the oats three times a day. This is done with an ordinary green- 

 house sprinkling can, with very little expenditure of time or 

 labor. As the oats grow the flats are moved to different posi- 

 tions in the closet. The taller the green material gets the nearer 

 the flats are moved towards the floor, because the growing grain 

 then needs less heat. This procedure leaves the desirable places 

 in the closet for the grain just beginning to sprout where liigh 

 temperature is needed. 



The oats are fed when they are from 4 to 6 inches in height. 

 They are fed at the rate of a piece of the matted oats and 

 attached green stalks about 6 to 8 inches square for each 100 

 birds per day. In feeding, this 6 to 8-inch scjuare piece is broken 

 into smaller pieces and scattered over the pen, so to ensure that 

 all the birds shall have an opportunity to get some. Fed at the 

 rate indicated, this material has never caused any bowel trouble 

 among the birds. 



It should be clearly understood that the purpose for which 

 green sprouted oats are fed is their tonic and stimulative influ- 

 ence on the digestive organs. They are not fed for the food 

 value of the oats themselves. If one wishes merely to feed 

 oats they can be most economically fed not sprouted. The point 

 of sprouting is to furnish fresh, succulent, green food during 

 the winter months. 



