960 THE POULTRY 
for they will not only give more eggs, but their 
breod will be worth more, so that in a year you 
can build up a fine flock of your own. 
The second essential is to keep them in small 
companies, not more than six hens in a pen; 
still better results can be had with four. These 
are the days of intensive culture and chicks will 
respond to it as surely as field crops. Like the 
crops, they need abundance of food, to force 
growth and vigor and egg production. Care 
must be taken in the selection of food, but you 
are always safe on lots of oats, wheat-bran and 
green stuff, with some lean beef now and then. 
Corn should be fed sparingly to heavy fowls, 
but is an excellent diet for Leghorns or for 
any chickens on free range. Running water, 
or plenty of fresh water should be furnished. 
An open water vessel is best, although almost any 
self-feeding fountain is good. Place it about 
ten inches from the floor that no dirt may be 
scratched into it. 
Fresh air and sunshine are necessities, but 
drafts should be avoided. Cleanliness is vital; 
if only a few hens are kept, all droppings should 
be removed every morning, and sand or lime or 
ashes sprinkled on the roosts and boards. If 
the food is good and well balanced, the prem- 
ises kept scrupulously clean, and the fowls 
