118 MRS. BASLEY'S WESTERN POULTRY BOOK 



animal food. One of the greatest economies is to buy in large 

 quantities. 



Most Suitable Green Foods 



Whilst we are on the subject of economy we must not forget the 

 two green foods that are the most suitable for fowls — clover and 

 alfalfa. 



Let those who are living on a town lot have a clover lawn; 

 clover requires less water than blue-grass or any lawn grass in this 

 climate, and is easily grown when once it is properly started. The 

 lawn clippings are just the right length for green food and if neces- 

 sary, the hens can be turned out on to the lawn two hours before 

 sunset, and will then busy themselves nipping off the clover leaves; 

 they will not have time or inclination to do damage by scratching. 

 A run on the lawn before bedtime is a wonderful tonic for chickens 

 that are yarded closely all the day. 



Every farm should have an alfalfa patch, if »not a good big 

 field of alfalfa, and no chicken ranch is complete without one, for 

 the youngsters should have a good alfalfa run to properly develop 

 them. 



Alfalfa is a legume; is rich in nitrogen and enriches the land 

 upon which it is grown. It is the best green feed next to clover 

 for the hens or cows, and the hens love it. It is equally good for 

 ducks and turkeys. The question of economy of labor is a very 

 serious matter in poultry raising, and by having a good alfalfa 

 patch upon which the hens may be turned several hours daily, the 

 labor of cutting and preparing green food for them is eliminated 

 and will prove a great economy. 



Hens that have an abundance of alfalfa will lay eggs with very 

 rich colored yolks and these eggs are usually fertile and produce 

 healthy, vigorous offspring. An alfalfa range insures health, a good 

 digestion and to growing chicks, a large frame. In buying a chicken 

 ranch, one of the important questions is "will the land grow al- 

 falfa?" Is there sufficient water to raise a good crop of alfalfa? 



Alfalfa meal, or as it is sometimes called, Calfalfa, has been suc- 

 cessfully used for hens. This is alfalfa hay ground up finely to 

 form a meal. I have used this for several years and I find it some- 

 times good and sometimes bad. The analysis of it made by the 

 University of California shows the protein content to be very high, 

 and the nutritive ratio to be 1 :3-3. This is the good meal. The 

 poor meal contains too much fiber, and, as Prof. Rice of Cornell 

 University remarked, "It is better for stuffing a bed than a hen." 

 It all depends upon the quality of the alfalfa. Sometimes it is left 

 until it is too old or is not properly cured, and is almost valueless; 

 at other times it may have been dampened and become musty. 

 When this is the case, it will disagree with the fowls and give them 

 diarrhoea. To test it, pour boiling water upon it, and if it smells 

 sweet, like hay, it is all right. If there is a musty, mildewy smell, 

 discard it. 



