378 POI'LTUY PRODUCTIOX 



In order to make sueli practices really e(ficiciit, lio\ve\'er, 

 it is necessary to luue e\'cry hen in tlie flock approximate 

 fairly closely the average hen. It means little to feed the 

 a\erage hen intelligently if the extremes on either side of the 

 average vary from the Mediterranean to the Asiatic type, 

 as is frerjuently the case in mongrel flocks. The first step 

 toward making a rational and efficient feeding practice 

 possible is Iniilding the foundation for a uniform flock by 

 grading or by establisliing a pure-bred flock. 



The Feeding Problem. — "Skill in feeding is the art of 

 stimulating the appetite." The factors which enter into 

 the problem of inciting the fowls to a large consum]3tion 

 of feed include (1) variety, and (2) palatability which have 

 received a full discussion elsewhere. The further factors 

 \\hich ha\'e to do directly witli feeding practice are (3) 

 regularity, (4) compelling of exercise, and (5) gauging the 

 amount to be fed. 



Rcgiilariiij. — Fowls of all sorts are highly responsi\e to 

 regularity in feeding. Where regular feeding hours are kept 

 the birds will usually congregate at the place of feeding 

 shortly before feeding time and wait quietly for the appear- 

 ance of the feeder. In the event of his non-appearance at 

 the usual time the birds begin to become irritated and 

 fretful. Such a condition long continued or occurring with 

 frequency, in common with all sources of discomfort, causes 

 a more or less noticeable lessening in the consumption of 

 feed and a corresponding loss in production. 



Exercise. — Good feeding practice requires the encourage- 

 ment of a generous amount of vigorous exercise as an ac- 

 companiment of tlie ration for all purposes save maintenance 

 and fattening. As feeding for a bare maintenance is seldom 

 desirable in practice it may be said that the compelling of 

 exercise is a jiart of the feeding routine with all classes of 

 stock except that which is being fattened. 



Stock on range during the spring and sunniicr will need 

 little encouragement in this line. The eager desire for insects, 

 worms, anil tender greenness will keej) any but the heaviest 

 and most inacti\'e breeds hunting and scratching ipiite 

 constantly. 



