FIBST LESSONS IN POULTRY KEEl'lNG. 17 



will work only for wbat is necessary to sustain life. One reason why some people get lietter 

 results from evening mash is because the fowls get a full feed before going to roo>t, when if fed 

 in litter (as they use it) they cannot get a gooJ meal, or cannot get it in the lime allowed them. 

 Generally speaking, the depth of any loose and easily worked litter should not be less than 

 three or four, and not more than six inches. 



Exercise by Jumping. — A practice handed down since before the days when scratching 

 litter was generally provided, is to hang a cabbage or fasten a root of l)eet or a piece of meat 

 just out of reach of the fowls .so that to get at it they must jump for every mouthful. I think 

 this form of exercise of questionable value. A heavy hen carrying a lot of partly develnpedi 

 eggs is likely to be averse to taking exercise that way, or, if she does try it, to hurt herself, and it 

 appears that sometimes jumpingfor exerciseis responsible for the prevalence in a flock of corns 

 and bumble foot, particularly when that is the only exercise provided, and the floors are note 

 littered. 



Exercise for Occupation. 



So far we have considered exercise, especially with reference to its eflfects on the condition 

 of the fowl, and as a check to rapid feeding. It serves another purpose which indirectly hai» 

 quite an important relation to the matter of feeding as well as to production. The fowl withi 

 something to do keeps busy much of the lime and is contented. With moderate exercise fowls 

 probably more completely digest and assimilate their food, and are productive and keep in gooili 

 condition on less food either than when not taking any exercise or when taking too much 

 exercise. Contentment aids digestion and economizes food. But we need not depend solely 

 upon exercise dependent upon eating. Fowls given the opportunity to do so will take vigorous 

 exercise dusting themselves. In fact, when the sun shines in on the earth floor they will work 

 and wallow there by the hour, and this exercise does them just as much good as scratching. 

 So occasionally on bright days rake the litter clean from a space on the floor where the sua 

 shines, and give the fowls a chance to put variety into their exercise. 



