1920.] 



Poultry on Stubbles. 



615 



the absence of green stuff. Grain, meal, animal and vegetable 

 food must all be included in the diet of the pullet that is expected 

 to produce winter eggs, but to secure production upon an eco- 

 nomic basis, a due proportion of each, and the use of material 

 which is not fit for human consumption, is required. House 

 scraps afford most valuable food. 



It is generally better to provide three sufficient meals a day 

 than to surfeit the birds at any one meal . In the natural state 

 fowls are intermittent feeders and will keep in a more healthy 

 condition if fed in small quantities at short intervals. Where 

 constant attention cannot be given, " dry mash " is particularly 

 valuable. Airy, light quarters are a great factor in developing 

 the production of winter eggs, while cleanliness of the houses 

 and of the birds themselves is an essential condition. 



Poultry-keepers should be warned not to " coddle " their birds. 

 No harm will be taken by poultry let out in the open in any 

 weather so long as they have broken fast before release, and 

 have dry and sheltered quarters to which they can return. Birds 

 shut up on bad days and only liberated under congenial condi- 

 tions will fret, with consequent loss to their productive powers. 

 Allowed out in any weather, poultry make full use of the shelter 

 provided if it is sufficiently light and comfortable to attract them. 



This year, owing to the late season, labour troubles, the laying 

 -crops and consequent difficulty in harvesting, a larger amount 



of grain than usual has been left on the 

 Stubbles 31 & roun d where the corn is cut. This will 



not be lost if poultry be placed on the fields 

 after the corn has been carted. On many farms carrying a head 

 of 200 to 300 fowls and a proper equipment of portable houses, 

 the fowls are on the stubbles for six or eight weeks after harvest. 

 It is customary to move them from one field to another. During 

 their stay on the stubble no food is supplied, and the 

 fresh ground and ample natural nourishment stimulate layers to 

 renewed activity. Under such treatment the young stock 

 make rapid progress, and the cost of a house may very 

 speedily be repaid. More farmers might well take advantage of 

 opportunities afforded in this direction. In every district some 

 arrangement for placing fowls on the stubble should be possible 

 between the farmer and neighbouring poultry keepers. 



It is unfortunate that in districts where the depredations of 

 : foxes render the stubbling of poultry an impossibility, only 



