POULTRY FEEDS AND FEEDING 



so that the hens will have it as soon as they come off the 

 roost which means that in the winter arrangements must 

 be made to keep the water from freezing so that it can be 

 left in the poultry house over night. Also provide plenty 

 of green feed for fowls so handled. 



KIND OF LIGHTS TO USE 



The electric lights are the most practical source of 

 artificial light for this purpose on account of their 

 adaptability for use automatically as they can be set so 

 that an ordinary alarm clock will throw the switch on 

 for the lights at any time desired without the attention 

 of an operator. In a pen 20 feet by 20 feet the use of 

 two 40-watt lights will give the desired amount of light. 



Another system tried in experimental work which 

 seems to be worthy of trial is to give the fowls an extra 

 feed from 8 to 9 o'clock in the evening, allowing them 

 to go to roost at the normal time and using the lights for 

 only one hour each evening. In the use of artificial lights 

 it is very essential that the lights be discontinued gradual- 

 ly, reducing the time about ten minutes daily until normal 

 daylight is reached, because if a sudden change is made 

 it will almost invariably force the hens into an unnatural 

 moult. Fowls on which the lights are used are usually 

 kept confined in the house throughout the winter period. 

 It only pays as a rule to use this system with pullets, and 

 pullets or hens which are going to be used as breeders 

 should not be forced for egg production for a long period 

 previous to the hatching season. 



186 



