294 POULTRY CULTURE 



To sprout oats the rack must be kept where the temperature 

 is above 60° F. The incubator or other cellar will do, pro- 

 vided there is enough light. 



Use only the best seed oats, as a poor grade of feeding oats 

 that has a poor percentage of grains that will sprout will be 

 very dear in the long run. The author has seen oats used in 

 which no more than half the seeds would sprout, in which case 

 the cost of production of the succulent feed, so far as the oat 

 grains were concerned, was just double that paid for the oats. 



These trays will hold about 6 quarts of oats. Place that 

 quantity in a metal bucket and cover with warm water. The 

 water should be close to 100° F. Allow the oats to soak in a 

 warm room for twenty-four hours and then place in a layer in 

 the rack. Wet the oats thoroughly once every twelve hours. 



The sprouted oats should be fed when they are from 4 to 6 

 inches high. If the temperature is proper it will require about 

 ten days for the oats to reach the proper size. Do not allow 

 them to get old enough to turn yellow or woody. Likewise, do 

 not allow the roots to turn yellow and spoil. They should be 

 fed while the roots are white and in good condition. There is 

 much succulence in the roots, and that part is just as essential 

 as any other part of the young plant. 



About 370 pounds of succulent feed can be produced from 

 100 pounds of oats. 



Give one ounce of sprouted oats to each ten hens per day. 



Grazing Crops for Poultry. — Grazing crops can be provided 

 most of the year for poultry. From November to March, it is 

 necessary to either sprout oats or provide mangles or turnips. 

 For best results in egg production, birds must be provided with 

 succulent feed. 



The following tabulation will be found useful information 

 for the beginner: 



Oats may be used for either summer or winter grazing. 

 Rape may be raised spring, summer, and fall if there is suffi- 

 cient rainfall. Soybeans and cowpeas can be raised spring, 

 summer, and fall as a yard rotation crop if there is sufficient 

 rainfall. Turnips and mangles make the best root crops for 

 winter feeding. Collards and cabbage, as well as lettuce 

 raised in cold frames, also make excellent succulent feed. In 



