554 
THE VETERINARY SCIENCE 
The general condition of both male and female should 
be medium. By this we mean that they should not be too 
thin nor yet too fat — one is as detrimental to the production 
of fertile eggs as the other. There is, however, less danger 
of sterility in hens extremely thin than in those extremely 
fat. 
The diet should be varied. Plenty of grit, oyster shell 
and charcoal should be accessible at all times. Beef cut- 
tings and clover are splendid dessert, during the winter and 
spring before there is a chance to get outside ; in fact, any 
kind of green stufif — turnips, mangels, etc. The bulk of the 
food should be wheat and oats, but screenings, buckwheat, 
and other seeds may be given. It is a mistaken idea that 
fowl may be fed any old way at all. They should be fed 
regularly and as nearly as possible what they require and 
no more. Better to feed hard, dry food among the chaff and 
straw on the floor than in a trough, as in this manner plenty 
of exercise is obtained. Supply plenty of fresh water, as 
stale water is just as injurious to them as to any other ani- 
mal. Milk is also good. Soft food should also be given 
periodically. 
The hen house should be warm, dry, well-ventilated and 
free from contamination (See description of a model poultry 
house). Even should such be the case, plenty of freedom 
in the open air is all the better, as plenty of exercise is 
necessary to the production of fertile eggs. However, when 
the weather, as it is during much of the Canadian winter, is 
such as to prevent this, provision should be made for as 
much exercise as possible. To accomplish this there should 
be a large shed, such as to protect from cold winds and rain, 
in which to run during the day. This shed should have 
provision for scratching and dusting in the ground and for 
this reason is better without a board floor. Straw or chaff 
should be thrown about the floor, but changed frequently — 
once a week at least. Provision, of course, should be made 
for an abundant supply of sunlight. Here is a suggestion 
that we consider good, namely: A little grain thrown about 
amongst the straw in the scratching shed after they have 
gone to roost will keep the fowl busy in the early morning 
and the exercise may prevent them catching cold before 
being fed at the usual time. 
