AMERICAN POULTRY CULTURE 
warm-weather grains. Very little, if any, corn 
should be fed. The greatest abuse of corn and the 
cause of much of its adverse criticism lies in the 
failure of those who satisfactorily feed large quan- 
tities of it during the winter to reduce the amount 
fed during warm weather. More or less green 
food is essential, and if available may well compose 
a large part of the fowl’s ration during warm 
weather, thus materially lessening feeding expenses. 
Shade of some kind must be provided for both 
fowls and chicks, so that during the warm hours 
of midday they can find protection from the hot 
sun, exposure to which is debilitating and harmful 
to the health, comfort, plumage and color of the 
bird. While shade is exceedingly pleasing to fowls, 
it cannot be entirely considered in the light of a 
luxury, but is an absolute necessity. Of course 
natural shade from trees or bushes is the best, but 
if this is lacking it is an easy matter to provide arti- 
ficial shade by making a framework and covering 
with old boards or old oilcloth or carpet, or any 
other such material. This can be set up on posts 
several feet above the ground and left open on all 
four sides to permit a free circulation of air. It 
should be substantially constructed, so that it may 
be moved every few days, for if left long at one 
place the ground underneath it will become foul 
and unhealthy. The atmosphere inside the coop 
may be made cool and on hot days by sprink- 
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