The Nashville globe. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1906-193?, 1912-03-01
RAISING CHICKENS FOR PROFIT.

Absolutely nothing definite can be
stated with regard to the quantity of
food certain number of fowls should
have. Different breeds and different
feeds and different climates make
vast difference in the quantity of food
that is necessary or desired. There
is such thing as feeding too much,
and there is also donger of feeding
too little. The difference between
fowl that is fed too much and fowl
that is fed too little can only be
Learn ed from experience The most
effective and economical method of
feeding for both eggs and meat pro-
duction is to keep the fowls slightly
hungry during the day, never allow
ing the crop to become completely
filled until just about time for them to
go to roost Keeping them busy at
all times, and sending them to bed
with crops well filled with a large va
riety of feeds is the keynote to sue
cessful feeding. There are two sys-
tens of feeding poultry, the dry and
tn ewet. The dry system is most
generally used in this country, be-
cause it is great saving of labor,
and it is not so liable to cause bowel
disorders, which often result in feed
ing wet or sloppy mashes. On city
lots, and in specialized poultry farm
ing, where fowls are kept closely con-
fined, it is necessary to feed a per-
fectly balanced ration, but on large
ranges, where fowls get plenty of ex-
ercise, they may be kept in good con-
dition with reasonable distribution
of foods. Fowls need variety. No
one grain fed alone is good. When
all grains are mixed in proper pro-
portion it is good for the laying hens.
Corn is too fattening when fed to
poultry alone in close confinement,
but where the fowls get plenty of ex-
ercise and secure a variety Of grains,
animal matter and green stuff, corn
can be fed to advantage.
Two parts cracked corn, three parts
wheat and one part oats, rye or bar
ley, makes good feed given in the
above proportions. In making up
grain rations the properties of the
other foods-animal and vegetable
should not be overlooked. Grain
should always be fed, and especially
where fowls are kept in close con-
fnement, in litter of some kind, so
that the birds will have to scratch and
hunt to get at it. 1t is a good plan to
keep part Of the floor at least, of the
poultry house or scratching pen, If
you have provided one, covered to a
depth of one foot or more with straw,
hay, dry leaves, or some other loose
material. Nothing is better for the
fowls winter, or will keep them in
better condition than plenty of good
exercise, which they will get hunting
for the grain in the straw.
Most of the commercial feeds sold
by the poultry supply houses are good
and reliable. They are manufactured
for any and every purpose, and for
fowls of any and all ages. These
feeds cost very little more than it
does for one to buy his feedstuffs and
do his own mixing.
In feeding refuse from the table do
not take pieces of stale bread, potato
peeHnSS, meat scraps, ana mix Jnem
up with hot water and feed this wet
sloppy mess to the birds, as some peo-
pie do. 1t is all right to feed the
table scraps, but in so doing run
them through chopper, add a little
corn meal, wheat bran, charcoal pep
per and salt, pour little warm wa
ter over it, then squeeze dry as posi-
BILE, and don't feed too heavy on it.
Charcoal is splendid for the digestion
and bowels. It can be purchased at
any supply store in the ground form
at few cents per pound, and should
be kept before the birds at all times.
Grit should always be kept before
the fowls, it is very essential, while
oyster shell, which is the chief COM
ponent of the egg shell, should al
ways be before them also.
A good dry mash for the laying
stock can be made by using five parts
corn meal, one part oat meal, one