128 PROFITABLE POULTRY PRODUCTION 



the larger, less active breeds, however, it is neces- 

 sary to force exercise. Experiment has shown that 

 enforced idleness ruins both health and egg pro- 

 duction. On the other hand, Leghorns have thrived 

 and even done well though compelled to scratch 

 for every grain they eat. With 

 every breed a happy medium 

 should be struck between idle- 

 ness and too much exercise. No 

 breed of fowls is injured by hav- 

 ing exercise and most breeds 

 profit decidedly. The principal 

 FEED HOPPER disadvantage of feeding in litter 

 is that grain may become con- 

 taminated with the droppings of the fowls, but with 

 proper care in removing the straw as soon as it 

 begins to be soiled this can be largely obviated. 



GRAIN GROUND OR UNGROUND 



Poultrymen find that it pays to grind part of the 

 grain feed because this saves energy. Since the 

 energy is furnished by the food there is an actual 

 saving in the food itself, and this can thus be util- 

 ized by the fowls for other purposes. Ground grain 

 is more quickly digested and assimilated than whole 

 grain, and hens can manufacture eggs quicker with 

 it. It has been shown that fowls, half of whose 

 grain was ground and moistened, required 20% 

 less feed to produce a dozen eggs than fowls fed 

 on whole grain alone. Fowls, however, enjoy whole 

 grain, therefore probably one-third should be fed 

 in this form. If fed one-half or more of whole 

 grain they would likely lose their appetites and not 

 eat sufficient to meet the demand for heavy egg 



