74 THE TKA1" NKST TKXT 1KMIK 



unless their environment is sufficiently favorable they are likely to perish 

 from exposure to tlie elements or become so weakened that Uiey fall an 

 easy prey to their natural enemies. 



"We are accustomed to imagine thai nature is always kind to her 

 own and that wild beasls and birds always thrive and, as a rule, die 

 only from old age unless destroyed by the hunter. The naturalist 

 knows well that such is not the case. The mortality ainrai"' wild birds 

 and animals is very large. One naturalist went so far as to claim that 

 a natural death is unknown among them. 



We.ran affirm, with no fear of competent contradiction, that the more 

 carefully we imitate the normal conditions of nature the less valuable, 

 to us, will become the lives of the domestic birds or beasts so surround- 

 ed. The almost universal worship of some medium of exchange (the 

 almighty dollar with us) has produced an all-too-prevalent belief that 

 whatever appears to be cheap is right and we distort both truth and 

 reason in the attempt to convert Nature to our way of thinking. 



Let, us admit, then, that under domestication the hen has a far better 

 chance to live in good health and contentment than her wild antecedents 

 could have had. Instead of taking it for granted Uiat the molting hen 

 must be a sick hen rather let us take the position that, with the care 

 and food that we are abundantly able to provide, there is no need for 

 sickness or debility during the molting period of birds that have inher- 

 ited a vigorous constitution. 



Hen feathers somewhat resemble certain plants inasmuch as they sprout 

 and grow, are alive, for a season, then wither, die and fall, and are re- 

 placed by another crop. 



Feathers grow very rapidly, fed by nutrient vessels, and make great 

 demand upon the source of nutrition for sustenance. Corn will not 

 make feathers. As well try to make nails from soap as to expect feath- 

 ers from corn. As the bird needs energy, and fat i- necessarv for 

 nervous force, corn, or its equivalent, should form a part of the ration. 



Much of the trouble that often accompanies molting is no doubt due 

 to general neglect — a combination of unfavorable conditions — during 

 that period. 



Carelessly fed: indifferently housed; tormented by vermin: breathing 

 hot impure air by night and chilled In cold winds, or fall rains, bvdav: 

 fed anything or everything except what she most needs, it is no wonder 

 that general neglect has produced a general condition of despondency. 

 sickness and unproductiveness among milting fowls. How easv it is to 

 acquit ourselves from blame and charge up (he whole business to Nature. 



The molting hen requires e;ood care and suitable food. She needs 

 food rich in feather-forming elements. Meal, bone, clover, bran. oats, 

 oyster shell and mineral grit. Unseed meal (o. p.) is a good addition 

 to the mash, (ireen food in the shape of vegetable tops, vegetables or 



