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Chaptkr V. 
GENERAL MANAGEMENT AND FEEDING OF ADULT POULTRY. 
The question of cost in maintaining fowls that are kept in a confined space, or which have free range, 
the kind of food and proportion in which it should be supplied to keep the birds in perfect health, and 
with their laying capabilities fully developed,. require extensive knowledge, which can only be gained by 
practical experience. Poultry, more so, probably, than other bird life, must be systematically fed under 
all circumstances if profit is desired. Fowls that have unlimited range can and do find their own Hving 
to a great extent, thus reducing the cost of their keep to a minimum ; but if over-fed under these 
conditions will become lazy and too fat, the natural result being that needless expenditure is entailed, 
and occasional and serious loss arises from the birds not being in a fit condition to perform the duties 
required. Many an error is made by beginners and others who keep Poultry in holding the belief that 
any sort of inferior grain or other food will do for fowls. This is a mistake, there being such a vast 
difference in the economic value of grain and other foods. We are fujly aware how difficult a task it is 
to convey to many keepers of Poultry, who will not give the question of feeding the birds the close 
attention it deserves, the exact manner and proportion in which it should be done ; if a definite line of 
procedure is laid down they will follow it out, but not otherwise. This cannot be laid down with any 
certainty, as birds are kept under a thousand and one different circumstances and surroundings ; 
therefore, it is not possible to give positive directions for the guidance of all. 
An observer of the methods of Poultry feeding will notice that in many instances the birds are 
generally over-fed, no consideration being given to the fact that fowls, of all bird life particularly, will 
gorge themselves if allowed to do so. This must be avoided, as this failing is a sure forerunner of their 
systems getting into a state of disorder, and death or heavy loss in egg production occasioned. Fowls, 
no matter of what breed, that are kept for laying purposes, should be kept in moderate condition, and 
should run greedily for their food on the appearance of the attendant ; if they do not, something is 
amiss (which requires prompt attention when this is noticed). Missing one meal entirely ivill often 
rectify matters. Poultry require feeding with good, sound grain, not miserable samples, which contain 
little nourishment, and it will never pay to buy up cheap inferior food because it is low in price. Grain 
is, to a great extent, the natural food of fowls ; but the same applies to nearly all forms of insect life — 
worms, grubs, etc., and if on a free range, where the latter can be obtained in abundance, very little 
bought food will be required, and it will be found that the birds prefer that which they can find 
themselves. If they are confined in small runs or yards where there is no possibility of obtaining any 
food but that supplied to them, the following rule will be found advantageous : — Feed as early as 
possible in the morning with pollard mixed with boiling water, not in a sloppy or sticky condition, but 
mixed thoroughly — short, as it is called — which on being placed in the feeding trough, or thrown down 
on the ground, crumbles apart. There are different degrees of mixing this judiciously, but with a little 
practice, if a regular number have to be fed each morning, no mistake will be made ; in fact, it is better 
to have it a little dry rather than to feed it sloppy. 
Our plan is to use a large tin dish kept for the purpose, about 12 inches deep. Place in the pollard, 
which can be measured the first time by calculating the number of birds kept, and the variety to which 
