22 2 POULTRY CULTURE 



The chickens in this case were kept in an orchard, about seventy-five 

 chickens having the range of about an acre of land. As the chicks grew, the 

 allowance of mash for each was quite small, but this was made up in the waste 

 apples falling from the trees. Under the conditions the ration was ample, 

 securing the full development of the birds. Practically the same results would 

 be secured by feeding any good mash in place of that used. 



3. For chickens {for market) in brooder houses and on poor range from 

 weaning to maturity. Cracked corn and beef scrap always before them in 

 separate hoppers ; limited pasture of winter rye ; occasional feeds of cabbage. 



This is the ration in common use among the soft-roaster growers of eastern 

 Massachusetts, from the time when the chickens leave the brooder houses. The 

 supply of green food is usually much less than the birds would take. The ration 

 is a fattening one and does not, as a rule, secure the fullest development (growth) 

 of the birds, but in some cases remarkably large, fine birds are produced. The 

 birds are not confined, but the range after the early part of the season affords 

 scant picking. They take only exercise enough to keep digestion good, and be- 

 come as fat as the American market requires, without any addition to this ration. 



4. For young chickens. Baked "johnnycake" (or any similar cake) fed as 

 often daily as desired, either without hard grains or in alternation with them. 

 Fine table scraps and infertile eggs may be mixed in johnnycake, making it 

 a more complete ration. To make such a cake, add a little soda to sour milk, 

 put in the scraps finely broken and the eggs (including shell), stir in coarse 

 corn meal to make a very stiff batter, bake well. 



This is a convenient way of providing the " soft " food for small flocks of 

 chicks in a form in which it may be kept in good condition for a number of days. 

 Clean, sweet table scraps (broken small) and infertile eggs (with shells) may be 

 mixed in the batter and baked, making the cake a complete ration, except for 

 the green food. Chicks on young grass can get all the green food that they need 

 for themselves. Chicks in confinement will do very well on this cake alone for 

 a while, but are better for regular supplies of green food. After a few weeks 

 chicks which do not get green food begin to show lack of development. Some 

 poultry keepers bake cakes for quite large numbers of young chickens, but it is 

 neither necessary nor economical to do so. 



5. For young chickens on good range. Mash in the morning ; cracked corn at 

 9.30 A.M. ; cracked corn, whole wheat, or mash at 2 p.m. ; cracked corn at 6 p.m. 



The difference between this and example 3 is only in the method of feeding, 

 the grains (and sometimes one mash feed) being given, in about such quantities 

 as are required, at stated times. This is often advisable for small lots of chicks 

 when keeping supplies of food before them attracts pigeons or sparrows. Some 

 poultry keepers who grow large numbers of chicks also prefer to give regular 

 feeds, especially if the conditions are not favorable to exercise or if it seems 

 advisable to keep quite close oversight of the stock. 



6. For weaned chicks and fowls on good range. Mash in the morning ; 

 cracked corn or any grain or mixture of grains desired, — a day's allowance 

 scattered broadcast over the range ; mash in the evening. 



