368 FARM ANIMALS 
Probably no one thing has done more to increase prof- 
its than feeding animal food. Chickens when at liberty 
during summer secure abundant animal food in the form 
of bugs and worms. Something to take the place of this 
feed is necessary, especially when snow is 
on the ground. Lean meat is the best form 
to feed. It furnishes ample protein. The 
presence of a little fat does no harm and 
may be an advantage. Fresh meat scrap 
from the butcher is an excellent egg maker. 
Skim milk is a good substitute for animal feed if 
given liberally, but it is not concentrated enough. 
Fish Net When used as a drink hens will not take enough to 
Green feed supply their demand for animal feed. Milk is well 
holder. used for mixing the wet mashes by feeding it clab- 
bered, and best in the form of cottage cheese, which 
is a particularly good form when well made. The most convenient 
form of animal food is beef scrap, a by-product of the packing 
houses. It has been boiled and dried and contains meat and bone 
in varying proportions. It should always be light colored, have a 
meaty flavor and be rather oily to the touch. When boiling water is 
added to it, it should smell like fresh meat. If a putrid odor is 
given off it should not be fed. 
5. Exercise—A roomy scratching shed covered with 
8 to 12 inches of straw is splendid for exercise. This 
straw should be dry and whole grain should be scattered 
init. There will be no waste; the fowls will find the last 
kernel. The aim is to feed enough at a time without 
having to feed too often, so as to keep the hens busy 
most of the day. When too much feed is given at a 
time the fowls soon become satisfied and will stop eat- 
ing. It is not essential to keep fowls scratching all 
the time. The more active breeds do nearly as well when 
fed from hoppers. When given a yard and a floor they 
will take sufficient exercise whether forced to scratch 
or not. For the larger, less active breeds, however, it is 
necessary to force exercise. Idleness ruins both health 
