ILLINOIS STATE DAIRYMEN'S ASSOCIATION. 45 



Feed the fowls regularly good sound food, and be sure they have a bal- 

 anced ration, as the egg is a complate food and can not be made unless the 

 fowl has the right ingredients. 



I make a business of raising thoroughbred stock for exhibition and 

 breeding purposes. My system of feeding differs somewhat from what it 

 would if I were producing eggs and stock for the market alone. I aim to 

 feed my breeding stock only such food as will keep them in a good, healthy, 

 virogous condition. This insures fertile eggs in good numbers, and strong, 

 healthy chicks, and when chicks are produced of this kind you are a long 

 way on the road to success. You will see I place a great deal of faith in 

 feeding the breeding stock in such a way as to keep them strong and 

 healthy. It is impossible to get strong, vigorous chicks from weak par- 

 ents. 



Were I feeding to produce eggs for market in large numbers I should 

 then force the production of eggs by feeding green cut bone every day. 

 With proper care and feed, one can increase the number of eggs to a 

 great extent. 



Hens cannot lay or produce eggs unless their food contains the elements 

 of which the egg is composed, that is, a large share of albuminous or egg- 

 producing elements. In addition to the quantity of albumen required in 

 the organism of a fowl, the laying hen requires an extra amount for the 

 white of the egg, it being about 12 per cent albumen, and this must be fur- 

 nished in her feed. 



Another important item: When the fowls do not have a large field to 

 range in, is to give themi once a day, if possible, a feed of chopped clover 

 hay. They need this, not aione for the bulk, but it is rich in nitrogen, 

 which enters largely into the formation of the egg. Some green food is 

 needed every day. Chickens are like the human family in that they like a 

 change of food. While wheat is one of the best feeds for producing eggs, 

 it is one of little value for fattening purposes compared with corn, as corn 

 contains a great deal of carbonaceous or fatty matter, which puts on flesh 

 in a very short time. Pure water is also essential to laying fowls. There 

 is nearly as much water in a pound of eggs as in a pint of milk. 



