178 . mains agricultural experiment station. 1907. 



The roof is easily removed by lifting one end and sliding it 

 endwise on the opposite gable end, on which it rests. The 

 trough can then be filled and the roof drawn back into place 

 without lifting it. This arrangement is the best thus far found, 

 for saving food from waste and keeping it in good condition. 

 When dry mash is used in it there may be considerable waste by 

 the finer parts being blown away. When used for that purpose 

 it is necessary to put it in a sheltered place out of the high winds. 



In separate compartments of the troughs, they are given 

 cracked corn, whole wheat, oats, dry meal mixture, grit, dry 

 cracked bone, oyster shell and charcoal. The dry meal mixture 

 is of the same composition as that fed to the laying hens, 

 described on page 167. The troughs are located about the field 

 in sufficient numbers to fully accommodate all of the birds. 



The results of this method of feeding are satisfactory. The 

 labor of feeding is far less than that required by any other 

 method. The birds do not hang around the troughs and over- 

 eat, but help themselves, a little at a time, and range off, hunt- 

 ing, or playing and come back again, when so inclined, to the 

 food supply at the troughs. There is no rushing or crowding 

 about the attendant, as is usual at feeding time, where large 

 numbers are kept together. 



For the last 8 years the first eggs have been lain when the 

 pullets were from 4 months and 10 days, to 4 months and 20 

 days old. There is some danger of the pullets getting devel- 

 oped and commencing laying too early for best results, under 

 this system of feeding. In order to prevent such conditions, the 

 houses should not be located too close to each other, or to the 

 feed troughs, and a large range should be given them so they 

 may be induced to work, which they will do if given the oppor- 

 tunity, early after their removal to the fields. Should the birds 

 show too great precocity, and that they are liable to commence 

 laying in August, the supply of cracked corn and wheat in the 

 feeding trough is reduced, or taken away altogether, which 

 causes them to eat the oats and dry meal instead, and they con- 

 tinue to grow and develop without getting ripe too soon. 



During the last days of October the pullets are moved into 

 the laying house. This would be done earlier but the houses 

 are in use by the laying hens to near the end of that month. 



