FEEDING A LITTLE FLOCK 51 



will save labor and be reasonably certain of good re- 

 sults if he uses one of the commercial laying 

 mashes, which can be bought at seed and poultry 

 supply stores anywhere and the best of which con- 

 tain a well-balanced mixture of many grains with 

 cut alfalfa and beef scraps added. Placed in a 

 hopper where the fowls will have access to it at all 

 times, the amateur never need fear that his hens are 

 being underfed or be conscience-smitten if he is 

 obliged to skip a feeding of whole grain. In fact, 

 if it is found that only a little of this mash is being 

 eaten, the amount of grain fed may be reduced in 

 order to drive the hens to the hoppers, for the birds 

 which eat liberally of the mash will usually be the 

 ones to lay best. 



The tendency is to feed too much grain, and the 

 amateur is especially likely to err in this direction. 

 It goes without saying that the grain should be fed 

 in a litter several inches deep, and it is wise to poke 

 about in this litter with the foot occasionally to see 

 if there is any grain on the floor. If grain is found 

 there, the fact may be taken as indicating that the 

 birds are receiving at least all they need, and it is 

 a good plan to purposely miss a feeding once a week 

 so that the hens will be forced to scratch industri- 



