392 POULTRY PRODUCTION 



This ration is fed in accordance with the routine outlined 

 on page 389, succulence being furnished at noon, and grit, 

 bone, shell, and charcoal kept before the birds at all times. 



A ration that has proved successful for laying hens of the 

 Mediterranean type consisted, for the scratching part of 

 the ration, of corn and wheat in equal parts. The dry mash 

 was made up as follows: 



Corn meal , 3i pound 



Wheat bran ... 5J " 



Wheat middlings or shorts 3 " 



Linseed-oil meal . . 1 " 



Meat scraps . . 2J " 



Silage was fed in place of greenness during the winter. 

 Shell grit and charcoal were before the fowls constantly. 



Gowell' recommended the following ration and routine 

 for American breeds, which has been widely used: 



"Early in the morning for each 100 hens, 4 quarts of 

 screened cracked corn are scattered on the litter, which is 

 6 or 8 inches deep on the floor. This is not mixed into the 

 litter, for the straw is dry and light and enough of the grain 

 is hidden; so the birds commence scratching for it almost 

 immediately. At 10 o'clock they are fed in the same way, 

 2 quarts of wheat and 2 quarts of oats. This is all of the 

 regular feeding that is done. 



"Along one side of the room is the feed hopper. In it is 

 kept a supply of dry meals mixed together. This dry-meal 

 mixture is composed of the following materials : 200 poimds 

 good wheat bran, 100 pounds corn meal, 100 pounds mid- 

 dlings, 100 pounds gluten meal or brewers' grains, 100 pounds 

 linseed meal, and 100 pounds beef scrap. 



"Oyster shell, dry cracked bone, grit, and charcoal are 

 kept in slatted troughs and are accessible at all times. About 

 5 pounds of clover hay cut into half-inch lengths is fed dry 

 daily to each 100 birds in winter. 



"For green food during winter and spring, mangels are 

 used. They are liked by the birds, and when properly 

 harvested and cared for remain crisp and sound until late 



■ Maine Bulletin No. 144. 



