Weekly graphic. [volume] (Kirksville, Adair Co., Missouri) 1880-1949, 1885-01-16
How 10 Feed Best,

1t may seem a very simple matter
to feed fowls, but no part of the man.
agement of the fiocks Is so difficult
True, all one has to do is to give them
their feed, but it depends upon how
this is done, for thereon depends the
matter OF procuring eggs. Every one
who keeps poultry should make him.
self familiar with the different breeds,
for unless this is done no correct meth
cd of feeding can be adopted. 1t is
unnecessary to state thar fowls shoul1
have variety of food, should be fed
regularly, be within easy access of
pure, fresh water, and be provided with
lime, charcoal, green food, meat. and
good quarters, for that is an undisput-
ed fact, but the breeder must remem-
Der that he has two obstacles 10 con
tend with, which are overfeeding and
underfeeding.
Let US consider overfeeding. The
large breeds, such as the Cochins,
Brahnas, Plymouth Rocks and Lang
shans, grow for quite long period be-
fore reaching maturity. While in the
growing condition they do not take on
fat very readily, but as soon as they
arrive at the stage which is the turn
ing point between the chick and the
adult, it Is critical period with the
breeder. They will then begin to fat
ten, and if they become too fat cannot
nor will not lay. Ifthey begin to lay
before they get very fat. the service OF
egg production calls for nutrition, and
the food is diverted in that direction,
consequently the young hen will moi
fa,ten so easily after she begins to lay
as though she had not commenced,
but should she become over fat with
out laying it is puzzling matter 10
the breeder how 10 reduce her in flesh
again without injury. An over fat
fowl is a nuisance, for should it lay al
all the eggs rarely hatch, and if few
chicks come from them they will be
weak and hard to raise The hen her.
self becomes diseased, soon break.
down, and is an eyesore to the whole
flock. The cocks are not exempt
When TOO fat they are unserviceable
impotent and sterile, and might a:
well be cooped up for all they are
worth. In fact they really do damage
by injuring the hens. and IL no manne
are they profitable except for market
Underfeeding is another evil, no:
that We mean to infer that the fowl
are usually not supplied with suffi
cheney OF food, such as it, but fowl
may be underfed while revellng appaf
emily in the midst OF plenty, Exclusive
ly corn is a terrible inficnon to flock
and actua physical suffering Is tn,
consequer ce when certain element
are lacking In the necessary require
ments OF the system when it IS forcet
to produce a particular article from
materials not adapted to the purpose
intended. No kind OF machinery i
capable of weaving silk goods fron
hemp, nor can steam engines be bull
of cot on. A hen caunot product
eggs if lime is lacking, nor can sh
supply the growth OF her own bod
when her product takes possession c
that which should support herself
Nature gives her what We call an appe
tite, which is only al indication of ina
which she requires, and we are a
familiar with the habits of most fowl.
and notice that when we change tr
food they accept the new variety read
ly. Feeding is the art OF supp!yin
the proper food, not SO much in quar-
titY as quality. If We watch the fow.
they will easily tell US what they desire
If you are feeding corn throw down
few handfuls of oats. If they greedll
take the oats and leave the corn 1t IL
dicates that they require somethin
else. Try grass, meat, ground bone
pounded oyster shells, cooked veget:
bles, all of which they will accept c
reject according TO their requirement
Feed regularly and never feed MOI
than they will eat up clean. They vi
walk away from the food as soon a
they have enough. Never leave it 0
the ground. Feed early and late. ar
let them get hungry, that is, have reg
ular intervals between meals. TIL
pra 'tice OF keeping feed by them a
the time promotes an excess of IA
Allow as much exercise as possible
Throw hay on ,he floor OF in The yarC
place in it a few handfuls of som
kind OF gram that they do not recelv
often, and let them hunt and scare
for it. Feed growing chicks hberall,
avoiding too much corn. Oats groun
and fed warm In the morning, is one {
the best feeds that can be given. A
ways give whole grains at nigh. l
summer give no corn except once {
twice week. Vegetables and gra:
Is much better for them. Laying her
must have meat or milk Eggs car
not be produced without nitrogenor
material in some shape Bones al
almost absolutely essential. Aboy
all, however, give pure, clean: fres
lr;pl,i,c, ,ro,ar D., H., R.-Hsg