The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1881-03-23

FEEDING MEAT TO FOWLs.--Anl'
NAL food may not be necessity, but
it is greatly craved by fowls. In a
natural state all fowls are eager for
every description Of insect diet, and
will leave grain for it. Turkeys are
great foragers, ranging the fields for
iusect food until their appetite is
stated. Fowls are more quiet in their
habits, and do not wander of in
search OF the coveted diet, which,
nevertheless, Is quite as much rel
ished. Where chickens are valua-
BILE, it is desirable that every one
should be raised after being Matched,
II possible. The extra care bestow.
ed appears to make them weakly and
slow Of growth, where common
chick, not Of 80 much value, goes
ahead with little or no care, and
thriyes on indifferent keeping. The
cause Of this is obvious. The choice
fowls were far fetched and costly,
which were the parents OF these
chicks. They have been kept in con.
fnement under close surveillance
while the eggs were gathered, and
fowls dearly love liberty. They are
obliged to do with the food given
them. They are weary of their quar-
tiers, and pine for change. They be-
come weak and feverish; still they
will lay to certain extent. More
freedom produces better results
Feeding animal food is good prac
tice, but it is also bad II not given in
o healthy state. Many are in the
habit Of throwing dead carcasses OF
animals, and flesh in a decaying or
decomposed state, into the yards for
the fowls to pick. 1t is true they
will eagerly devour 1t at first, before
it's presence becomes loa:hsome to
them, but it is q bad practice
When running at large they seek and
find antidotes for this putridity, but
we know not exactly what. Careful
feeding must be observed where
fowls are kept in confinement. When
free, the busy feet dig out many in
scots and other food from the earth.
The exercise is beneficial, and the
food thus gained is greatly relished,
and acts as an appetizer for the grain
that follows later on in the day
Healthy, we'll fed fowls, which have
access TO grain at pleasure, seldom
oil their crops in the morning, ii
they are thus trained. Meat that
has commenced to decay should new
or be fed to fowls in confinement
As general thing, meat should be
csoked and minced. The great diff
ficulty in feeding meat to fowls in
confinement, is the anger of feeding
too much at q time. They gil their
crops with more than can be digest.
ed we'll. A piece of salt fat pork is
greatly relisbed BY fowls at times,
and is beneficial. Take q square
piece that has the rind on it, and
nail it to a firm block or frame in
their yard or building, where they
can have access to it at pleasure,
but so that they cannot tread over 1t.
A daily feed Of scraps" either tai
low or lard, may be given with good
effect, but do not feed superduously
on one day and neglect it the next.
Where it is convenient, and the
weather is suitable, it is q good plan
to allow the fowls to run at large a
certain portion Of the day. Animal
food is forcing, and for hens that are
laying eggs for Matching it should
be fed sparingly, as these fowls
should not lay too rapidly. Exer'
else is highly beneficial to health.
By puny, weakly chicks, when all
other food has been refused, feed
of live grasshoppers has been parta.
ken of with greed, and the fowls re-
covered. Scraps Of fresh meat, Ell.
Their mutton or beef, are good for