The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-05-03
Feeding for Eggs.

In feeding for egg production valuable
lesson may be learned from nature, says
the Agricultural Bulletin. II will be OBJ
served that our domestic fowls that re-
ceive the least care and attention, or, in
other words, whose conditions approach
more nearly the natural conditions, lay
most of their eggs in the springtime. 1t is
our duty then as feeders to note the con-
ditions surrounding these fowls at that
time. The weather is warm, they have
an abundance of green food, more or less
grain, many insects, and plenty of exercise
and fresh air. Then, if we are to feel for
egg production, we will endeavor to make
it springtime all the year round; not only
to provide a warm place for our fowls and
give them a proper proportion of green
food. grain and meat, but also to provide
pure air and plenty of exercise.
Farmers who keep only a small flock of
hens, chiefly TO provide eggs for the fam
lily frequently make a mistake in feeding
too much corn. 1t has been clearly proved
by experiment that corn should not form
a very large proportion of the grain ration
for laying hens; il is too fattening, espe-
cially for hens kept in close confinement.
Until the past few years corn has been
considered the universal poultry food of
America. This no doubt has been largely
brought about by its cheapness and wide
distribution. The recent low prices Of
wheat have led to 1t that none but whole
some food is consumed.
1t is conceded by the majority of poultry
men that ground or soft food should form
a part of the daily ration. AS the diges-
tive organs contain the least amount of
food in the morning. il is desirable to feed
the soft food at this time. for the reason
that It will be digested and assimllated
quicker than the whole grain. A mixture
of equal parts (by weight OF corn and
oats ground, added to an equal weight OF
wheat bran and fine middlings. makes a
good morning food II mixed with milk and
water, thoroughly wet without being
sloppy. II the mixture is inclined TO be
sticky the proportion OF bran should be
increased. A little linseed meal will inn
prove the mixture. particularly for hens
during the moultlng period or for chick
ems when they are growing feathers.
II prepared meat scrap or animal meal
is to be fed. II should be mixed with this
soft food in proportion OF about one
pound 20 twenty-five hens. It will be nee
essary 10 feed this food IN troughs TO
avoid spelling before Il Is consumed.
The grain ration should consist largely
OF whole wheat, some oats and perhaps a
little cracked corn. This should DO scat
tered In the litter which should always
cover the floor OF the poultry house. IL Is
necessary TO have the floor Of the poultry
house covered with litter Of some kind
70 insure cleanliness. Straw, chan, buck
wheat hulls cut corn stalks. eli make ex-
cellent filters. The object OF scattering
the grain In this litter Is TO give the fowls
exercise. All breeds of fowls that are
noted for egg production are active, nerv-
Gus and like 10 be continually at work.
How TO keep them busy Is a problem not
easily solved. Feeding the grain as de-
scribed will 90 a long way toward provid-
ing exercise. II the fowls are fed three
times o day they should not be fed all
they will eat az noon. Make them find
every kernel Al night. Just before go
Ing on the perches, they should have all