76 THE HOME POULTRY BOOK 



will thrive on it. This feed may be one of the pre- 

 pared growing rations, so called, sold at the stores 

 and containing many kinds of ground grain, as well 

 as beef or fish scraps and alfalfa, or it may be noth- 

 ing more than plain wheat bran with ten per cent, 

 of good beef scraps added. Many good chicken 

 growers are well satisfied to use this very inex- 

 pensive ration year after year. 



The value of grass has been mentioned. Green 

 stuff of some kind is essential. Broken pieces of 

 lettuce and other vegetables are relished. Cut al- 

 falfa may be bought if there is nothing at home 

 available, but a little cold frame will serve to grow 

 plenty of lettuce early in the season. Sprouted oats 

 are excellent. They are prepared by soaking the 

 oats over night in warm water and then spreading 

 them in a box, having holes for drainage, so that 

 they will cover the bottom one or two inches, and 

 keeping them moist by sprinkling them daily. If 

 kept in a warm place, they will soon throw out 

 sprouts and may be fed when the sprouts are an inch 

 long. It is better not to feed the roots to very young 

 chicks. 



Water should be given the chickens from the first 

 day, but in a receptacle of such shape that they can- 



