General Management and Feeding of Adult Poultry. 
43 
Hens that are laying require much more food and shell-forming material, such as lime in some form 
or other, and food must be supplied with a more generous hand than when the same bird is in a normal 
condition, as the daily production of an egg is a severe drain upon the system. Cold and very wet 
weather has an effect in retarding egg production, which, however, can be assisted by giving more warm 
food at this period. In severe weather, corn will be found a useful food, but in hot weather should be 
discarded for other grains, such as wheat, barley, or oats. Feeding the birds liberally wlien moulting will 
well repay the extra trouble and cost ; and to facilitate the change of plumage, flour of sulphur is excel- 
lent for the purpose, though during excessively cold or wet weather it must be strictly avoided. One 
teaspoonful to each lo or a dozen adult birds will be quite sufficient, given two or three times Weekly, 
mixed in the soft food. The morning meal of pollard especially should be increased at this stage, the 
casting off of old feathers and renewing being a great strain on the birds. If a small quantity, say a 
handful, of bone meal — or, as it is generally called, bone dust — is mixed with the soft food on 
intermediate days with the sulphur, this will be of marked advantage. We often read glowing 
accounts derived from the use of spices and tonics. These would not be necessary if the birds were 
provided with a proper food supply, varied to suit the differences of climate, as, after all, they are but 
artificial stimulants, having only a temporary effect, and if given in large quantities are certain to have 
a deleterious effect. If a tonic is required, a pinch of Epsom salts, given in a teaspoonful of water, will 
be of marked benefit, and act as an excellent tonic, without purging the bird. For birds that are inclined 
to get too fat, though fed on the same lines as their yard mates, who keep in the condition required, an 
occasional dose of the Epsom salts, given as directed, will often remedy the trouble. 
It is not a wise plan to keep fowls and ducks together in the one yard, as it will be necessary to 
feed them differently, ducks not being nearly so liable to contract disease by eating more or less filthy 
Fig. 36. — Feeding Trough for Poultry. 
Fig. 37. — Feeding Box for Ducks. 
