28 ILLINOIS STATE DAIRYMEN'S ASSOCIATION. 



Mr. Crosier: How much would you consider enough feed for 50 hens 

 for one day? 



A. I never figured that. I tliink a pailful of shelled corn, if there 

 are ten hens in the pen two years old I would give them a scant handful 

 for each hen; if pullets an extra handful; and if cockrels a straight 

 handful, and at the same time watch the dropping boards every morn- 

 ing. I find the first indications on the dropping boards. 



Q. Wheat rather than corn? 



A. If feeding for eggs rather than feeding for size or growth I 

 should feed less grain and more meat, more vegetables, more clover 

 hay and wheat in the morning, or Avheat and corn morning and night; 

 but cut down the grain feed and feed more soft stuff. Corn and oats 

 ground and an equal amount of bran, and if mixed in a 10 or 12 quart pail 

 put 75 pounds of beef meal, such as the stock yards make. 



Mr. Johnspn: You think it a detriment to let the hens get too fat. 

 How are you going to know it? 



A. You can't unless you keep them shut up on the farm. 



Q, How are you going to tell when ihey are too fat. Do you have 

 to catch them? 



A. You can tell from the shape of the hen and its motion. 



Q. I dont know whether otler people can tell when a hen is too 

 fat or not. I don't believe I kno^A■ ? 



A. I can tell. When a hen sits around in the corner that hen is 

 too fat or sick. 



Mr. Soverhill: What is the matter with a cement floor? 



A. The worst objection is the cost. That can be kept clean and by- 

 covering it from two to four inches deep with litter it is a first-class 

 floor, better than boards, a great deal. 



Mr. Coolidge: Do you find that feed has any effect whatever upon 

 the color of the bird or plumage of the fowl. Would you feed yellow 

 corn or would white corn be better to keep away the brassy color? 



A. If a white fowl is from parentage showing straight color in the 

 plumage it would, but if the parentage had a tendency to color I think 

 yellow corn would be all right. 1 think in the judgment of the best 



