86 THE HOME POULTRY BOOK 



than fifty hens, so that this matter of large flocks 

 will interest him only in an academic way. 



The use of litter on the floor is most important. 

 It may be two or three inches deep at the beginning 

 of the season and more thrown in as the first be- 

 comes broken into fine pieces. Of course, there is 

 such a thing as having it too deep. The main 

 thing is to keep the hens working early and late 

 seeking food. A little millet or hemp seed in the 

 litter will act as an extra inducement to scratch en- 

 ergetically and persistently. 



It must be remembered that in mid-Winter the 

 hens keep short hours. With two-thirds of their 

 time spent on the roost, they should have no time 

 to waste during the day. The poultry keeper wants 

 them to eat all they will and a busy hen has a much 

 better appetite than one which stands around idly. 



Green food is essential. Sprouted oats have been 

 mentioned in another chapter. Wheat and barley 

 may be sprouted in the same way. Some amateurs 

 who are handy with tools make a little frame which 

 contains four or five trays on which the grains are 

 spread after they have been soaked over night in 

 warm water. The bottoms of the trays have slats 

 placed so closely together that the grain will not 



