A REVOLUTION IN EGG PRODUCTION 11 



(measured by their needs) in an attempt to obtain sufficient 

 of the necessary elements which they require ; for instance, 

 hens fed principally on corn will put on fat to such an extent 

 as to be unable to produce eggs. The same, or less, expendi- 

 ture for a more balanced ration would produce profitable 

 results. 



Our judgment in such matters is not at all comparable 

 to that of the birds, "Ask the birds, their judgment is good." 



Another error we are likely to fall into is that a balanced 

 ration for today and today's conditions, will be a balanced 

 ration for next week and next week's conditions ; when, as a 

 matter of fact, the requirements may be entirely dififerent. 



Still another argument in favor of mixed grain of the 

 desirable kinds, is that the requirements of tfte individual 

 birds in the same flock may vary every day. A hen who has 

 been broody for some time, and has been neglecting her feed- 

 ing in consequence, will require more fattening foods than 

 a hen in laying condition; and if these fattening foods are 

 not available, such a hen will remain out of laying condition 

 indefinitely. 



For the reasons touched upon in the foregoing, let me 

 here suggest an efficiency method for determining a balanced 

 ration for those making a business of keeping poultry, even 

 if mixed grains are purchased. The method is this : Choose 

 a time when the fowls are fairly hungry, say in early morn- 

 ing, and place in separate troughs a definite quantity of sep- 

 arate grains. Suppose we use two pounds of Kaffir corn, two 

 pounds of wheat, two pounds of cracked corn, two pounds of 

 oats, and two pounds of sunflower seed, etc. After these 

 grains have been before the hens some time, we will find that 

 some varieties have entirely disappeared, while some have 

 scarcely been touched, and others have been cleaned up in 

 varying extent. 



The hens will thus tell us what they would like added 

 to their rations, and we can either feed such grains as separate 

 extra feeds, mix more of such grains in with our mixed feed, 

 or, if we use hoppers, we can increase the quantity of such 

 grains in the hoppers. 



We can make this test as often as we think necessary, 



