RATIONS AND METHODS OF FEEDING 329 



Corn 2 parts. 



Wheat 2 " 



Oats 2 " 



Nutritive ratio, 1 : 7.6. 



The dry mash consists of the following: 



Wheat bran 2 parts. 



Wheat shorts 2 " 



Meat scrap 1 part. 



The mash should be fed from a mash hopper and kept before 

 them at all times. 



On the farm, clabber milk or buttermilk may be kept before 

 them at all times, and will take the place of the meat scrap in 

 the dry mash, thus lessening the cost of feeding. 



One hundred hens will take about 8 quarts of grain per day — • 

 that is, 4 quarts morning and evening. 



Breeding hens, turkeys, ducks, and geese should not be too 

 fat, as the young from such birds are not so vigorous nor the 

 eggs so fertile as those from females in medium flesh. 



Certain feeds have an undesirable effect on the flavor of the 

 flesh of the fowl consuming it, and also upon the flavor of 

 the egg. Some of these feeds imparting objectionable odors 

 and flavors are fish scrap, turnips, onions, and garlic. 



Fat extracted peanut meal and soybean meal are high in 

 protein content and will take the place of gluten meal in the 

 mash. 



The Influence of Artificial Lighten Egg Production.— Equali- 

 zation of feed distributed over the twenty-four hours is a great 

 factor in high egg production. Thus the artificial Ught early 

 and late allows the hen to eat extra meals and fill up in the late 

 evening and again in the early morning. If the lights are used 

 too late and too early the force feeding may be carried to the 

 point of causing a physical breakdown or physical exhaustion 

 and death of the bird. 



Different kinds of artificial lights have been used, such as 

 lanterns, gas, and electricity. Many employ electric lights. 

 Snap switch electric lights may be used, and this connected 

 with a clock so that the lights gradually go on or off as desired 

 without an attendant. 



