SPROUTING OATS 



By W. S. Willis 



The following method of sprouting oats has been kindly sent 

 to the author by Mr. W. S. Willis, of the celebrated Arlington Egg 

 Ranch. Mr. Willis has found the sprouted oats a splendid addition 

 to the hen's ration, lending variety to the daily bill of fare and in- 

 creasing the egg output. 



Three quarts of oats will make a fine morning meal for 100 hens 

 if properly sprouted. 



Place the grain in a pail and let it soak for twenty-four hours; 

 then transfer it to a box one foot square and six inches deep, with 

 a few small drainage holes in the bottom. 



Sprinkle with water daily and allow the grain to remain in the 

 box until the sprouts are from two to three inches in length, at 

 which time it will be ready to feed. 



As it takes from eight to ten days to secure the proper growth, 

 a number of boxes or compartments should be provided for the 

 grain, keeping each day's allowance separate, and a new lot should 

 be started daily. 



For larger flocks of course it is necessary to increase the size of 

 the boxes — a day's feed for 600 hens, for instance, requiring a 

 sprouting space of two by three feet. 



In all cases care should be taken not to have the grain over two 

 inches deep when placed in boxes, in order to guard against heat- 

 ing and mildew. 



The boxes should be placed in a level position and kept covered 

 with a board or burlap, in order to keep the grain in a moist condi- 

 tion. 



In cold weather the sprouting operations should be conducted 

 in comfortably warm quarters, and warm water may sometimes 

 be used to advantage in sprinkling the grain. 



Redwood is better than pine to use in making the sprouting 

 boxes, being less liable to swell and crack when water soaked. 



Should it be impossible to get oats that will grow well, barley 

 or wheat may be substituted, but it may be found necessary to stir 

 the barley until it begins to sprout, to prevent fermentation. 



