356 



Poultry Feeding. 



It should also be remarked that whereas an ordinary hen of 

 the lighter varieties (such as Leghorns or Minorcas) requires 

 daily from 3J to 3i oz. of food when laying, if not laying 

 she will need only about 2f oz. daily. During the moulting 

 season, however, the bird may be allowed as much food as she 

 will eat clean. Of course, the more active a bird may be the 

 more food she will require in proportion to her weight. 



Further, it must be remembered that in order to keep birds in 

 the best possible state of health, both that they may not contract 

 disease themselves and also that they may produce young ones 

 with no inherited tendencies towards disease, we must feed on 

 foods containing the correct amount of matter for the production 

 of heat, flesh, bone, muscle, feather and fat. For this reason a list 

 is given of a variety of foods in common use, so as to be sure of 

 feeding birds properly in order to allow of their producing a 

 large number of good eggs. 



If practicable these mixtures should be varied as much as 

 possible ; it would be wise to give Nos. I, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, and 9 on 

 successive days, using Nos. 4 and 6 as changes in case of very 

 cold weather ; and, although the quantities given will be found 

 sufficient for a pen of ten birds of ordinary size, if Brahmas or 

 Cochins be kept rather more food will be necessary, and the 

 requisite quantity should be added in due proportion to the 

 morning and evening feeds. 



The size of the eggs laid depends largely on the matter of 

 breeding and feeding. A plentiful supply of hard grit and good 

 oyster shell (which is of use in supplying lime for the formation 

 of egg shells) should be kept always within reach of the birds, 

 and care should be taken to breed not only from those birds 

 which lay the most eggs but also from those producing fairly 

 large ones. It will then be found, after a year or two, that but 

 few eggs will be obtained which are under the usual marketable 

 size, that is of about 2 oz. 



In feeding poultry of any kind it should be remembered that 

 it is as easy to give too much as too little food, especially when 

 birds have their liberty. 



One ounce of table salt should be added to the allowance of 

 every 100 birds. If more food be given for the morning feed 

 (see Nos. 7, 8, and 9) less must be given at mid-day. 



