612 



Winter Feeding of Poultry. 



[Oct. 



viding 80 to 100 million tons of high grade phosphate rock in 

 all, and an annual supply of 100,000 tons. Ground phosphates 

 have given most satisfactory results in the improvement of 

 pasture, and should trials of Nauru phosphate prove a success 

 a phosphatic manure will be available at least 50 per cent, richer 

 in phosphates than our highest grade basic slag, and of the 

 gTeatest value for the improvement of moorland. 



The following notes on the winter feeding of poultry have been 

 contributed by the Harper Adams Agricultural College, 



Winter Feeding Se ^ n ' Sal °P : ~ . . . , , _ . 

 ol Poultr present scarcity of loodstuffs makes 



y * proper and adequate feeding difficult. Good 

 feeding corn is practically non-existent, and the mixtures 

 available are not only high in price but very inferior in quality, 

 and if it is at all possible are better avoided. There is a certain 

 quantity of maize available. Crushed oats can also be pro- 

 cured, but many of the samples contain an undue percentage 

 of Black Tartarian. Good sharps are difficult to obtain at an 

 economical price, although where procurable they represent 

 better value for money than do the poorer qualities. 



Breeding Stock. — Such birds should now be fed with a view 

 to getting them safely through the moult and in a hard condition 

 for the breeding pens in two months' time. Where the moult 

 has not started they should be put on a low non-forcing diet, so 

 that they may be thrown into a moult as soon as possible. All soft 

 food should be discontinued and corn only fed until the moult 

 staits. Afterwards the birds should be fed liberally in order to 

 build up their strength rapidly in readiness for the possible bs d 

 weather that may soon set in. 



I"'." •• ng Stock. — Liberal feeding will be well repaid. Scalded 

 fish meal and bran., dried off with crushed oats and sharps with 

 enough milk whole or skimmed' to make the mass crumply 

 mo:-: '.. be the most economical soft feed. Wheat, clipped oats 

 and kibbled maize in the proportion of 2 : 2 : 1 makes an expen- 

 sive but satisfactory corn feed. Smutted wheat should be avoided, 

 as it will cause the birds to scour. Vegetables, either cooked or 

 raw. should be fed with the soft food. Not only are they essential 

 to the health of the birds, but they will bulk the food very 

 cheaply and reduce the cost per head. A dusting of charcoal in 

 the soft food is decidedly beneficial. 



Birds in Laying Houses. — Com scattered in litter the first 



