2fiq THE POULTRY 



^^^ RUN 



for they will not only give more eggs, but their 

 brood will be worth more, so that in a year you 

 can build up a fine flock of your own. 



The second essential is to keep them in small 

 companies, not more than six hens in a pen; 

 still better results can be had with four. These 

 are the days of intensive culture and chicks will 

 respond to it as surely as field crops. Like the 

 crops, they need abundance of food, to force 

 growth and vigor and egg production. Care 

 must be taken in the selection of food, but you 

 are always safe on lots of oats, wheat-bran and 

 green stuff, with some lean beef now and then. 

 Corn should be fed sparingly to heavy fowls, 

 but is an excellent diet for Leghorns or for 

 any chickens on free range. Running water, 

 or plenty of fresh water should be furnished. 

 An open water vessel is best, although almost any 

 seK-feeding fountain is good. Place it about 

 ten inches from the floor that no dirt may be 

 scratched into it. 



Fresh air and sunshine are necessities, but 

 drafts should be avoided. Cleanhness is vital; 

 if only a few hens are kept, all droppings should 

 be removed every morning, and sand or lime or 

 ashes sprinkled on the roosts and boards. If 

 the food is good and well balanced, the prem- 

 ises kept scrupulously clean, and the fowls 



