WINTER MANAGEMENT OF THE LAYERS 271 
birds to maintain their body heat with a lower consumption of the 
materials regularly supplied in the ration, and will help to keep up 
the normal production. The feeding of hot mashes occasionally 
during extremely cold weather will also help to keep them warm. 
Exercise.—Hens kept in close confinement, as is the case with 
the laying flock in winter, should be made to take sufficient exer- 
cise to keep the body in normal flesh without depositing surplus 
fat. More care in this respect is required when the heavier breeds 
are kept, such as Plymouth Rocks and Wyandottes; with Leg- 
horns there is less danger. When not at liberty the exercise taken 
Fig. 137.—A large-unit laying flock (500). An abundance of range and plenty of shade. 
(Photo by Rancocas Poultry Farm.) 
by hens is principally walking and scratching, but birds in con- 
finement can be compelled to exercise by placing practically all 
their grain feed in deep litter on the floor of the house. Better 
results can be obtained through the winter from birds kept closely 
confined and induced to exercise in this way than when they are 
let out on wet snowy ground and chilled. The actual amount of 
exercise necessary must be determined largely by the judgment 
of the feeder and by the flesh condition of the birds in the flock. 
Keep them plump,—neither thin nor excessively fat. 
Health and Cleanliness—A healthy condition of the laying 
birds is a fundamental requisite, and is best insured by keeping 
everything about the poultry house sanitary. The breaking 
out of head colds of a roupy nature in a flock of birds in the 
