Hubbard's poultry secrets. 71 



of root and the tops have just started to sprout; for now you 

 have the full value of the meats of the grains with lots of roots 

 to help make the bulk that is wanted so much in keeping the 

 breeders in good laying condition. 



The difference in weight between sprouted and unsprouted 

 grains is about as follows : A pail of grains, as you get it 

 from the mill, weighs about 25 pounds, and a pail of the same 

 size of sprouted grain will weigh about 12 pounds ; therefore, 

 a pail of sprouted grain w'ill feed the same number of birds as 

 a pail of grain which is not sprouted. You can now readily 

 see the difference between a bulk ration and a solid ration. By 

 feeding the birds a pail of sprouted grain, their crops will be 

 just as full and they will have less than one-half the weight in 

 their crops than if you feed them solid grain. Feeding them 

 solid grain will cause them to get over-fat, which will ruin 

 them as breeders. 



After feeding them crackers three days, their morning feed 

 should be sprouted grain thrown in the litter. At noon they 

 should have another feed of sprouted grain, and at night they 

 should be fed cracked corn, thrown in the litter. The even- 

 ing feed should be given one hour and a half before they go 

 to roost, so they will have to work hard in the litter to fill their 

 crops before bedtime. Twice a week your birds should have 

 green ground bone, just enough to satisfy them. Once or 

 twice a week substitute dry crackers in the place of sprouted 

 grain for the noon meal. They relish this change very much. 

 Each pen should be supplied with grit, shells, and charcoal. 

 Don't keep any dry mash or beef scraps before your breed- 

 ers. Keep your breeders lively and handle them as explained 

 above, and your chickens will look a week old when they are 

 hatched. Twice a week your male birds should be taken away 

 from the females and fed all they will eat of a good strength- 

 ening food with a liberal amoimt of lean meat in it. This will 



