78 The Truth About the Poultry Business 



have real white-diarrhoea, corn is the worst thing that can 

 be fed to them. When hens have very watery droppings 

 a ration like No. 14, in which Turkey Red bran is used, will 

 sometimes stop the trouble. In extreme cases use Ration 

 No. 11. 



It is very hard to find the trouble, as it can be caused by a 

 laxative bran, laxative wheat, middlings, (especially flour 

 middlings) oats, poor corn, cabbage or green food, or it may 

 be a simple case of indigestion. 



It is better to know what effect different grains have on 

 the hens under different conditions than to know any receipt, 

 as the variations in grains, outside conditions, and conditions 

 of flocks may require the slight changing of a ration. 



If we notice the hens closely at times we find that some 

 of them are constipated, but after a short time their drop- 

 pings become watery, and we think they need drugs. What 

 they actually want is to be cured of indigestion by a system 

 of feeding. When everything is right you can use Ration 

 No. 9 and get a large number of eggs. 



When feeding hens or chickens, wheat can be used for 

 grain, instead of wheat and corn, if there is no bowel-trouble; 

 but better results can usually be obtained by using wheat 

 and corn for grain. Many people starting into the poultry 

 business know nothing about these troubles, which they must 

 meet and overcome. They start in the business blindly, 

 without anything to guide them. They never learn, because 

 when hens are out of condition certain grains will kill them, 

 whereas if they are in good condition these grains would 

 keep them in the best of health. 



By keeping your ration very close to No. 14 or No. 9, and 

 not varying it over one-half a part or so at a time, you can 

 make little changes in the ration without causing the hen 

 to stop laying. The right way to change the food is to sepa- 



