Methods with Laying Hens 189 



lettuce, and potato are all relished in the raw state, 

 and serve as a ration of green food. 



Sprouted oats have been considered excellent 

 feed for laying, hens, but the preparation and care 

 in handling them make it a rather difficult way of 

 solving a simple problem. Clover can always be 

 bought at a small cost. This, thrown in dry, or 

 steamed a few minutes, is good food. 



Mangel beets, or cow beets of the sugar variety, 

 are a most satisfactory green food. They are 

 greatly relished by the hens, and offer just the 

 balance of fiber and juice required by the fowls. 

 Mangel beets are easy to grow and can usually be 

 bought in the winter at a low price. 



Less danger from over-feeding lies in the green 

 food ration than the regular grain ration, but 

 care should be taken to feed only what the fowl 

 will dispose of promptly. A mess of swill in the 

 poultry house is a sign to get ready to buy eggs 

 instead of selling them. Beets may be stuck on a 

 nail each morning, and enough provided to last 

 till noon. Hens should not pick at them all day. 



Mash mixtures that have ground alfalfa are 

 advertized to take the place of green food. While 

 it is true that the alfalfa is a good food of this 



