Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-06-22
BY JUDGE F. j. MARSHALL.

What a common thing it is at this
season of the year to hear persons
complain that a number Of their hens
seem out of condition. that they are
found sitting around under the bushes
and trees, and do not lay; that their
combs are pale and shrunken; and
their favorlte male bird is not him
self.
This condition is strange to the un-
observing. But it is perfectly natu-
raj in this season. Fowls are pass
ing into the moult, a condition which
lowers their vitality. Their circula-
ton is not strong enough to put good
red blood into the combs. hence the
pale, limp appearance of that part Of
the fowl which is but a barometer of
the whole fowls condition.
All the blood and energy that can
be mustered is going into the furnish
ing Of the new coat Of feathers This
means a great strain upon all the
vital forces of the fowl In the wild
fowls the process Of moulting covers
a long period Of time.
Moutng Comes Gradually.
AS a rule. they lay but one clutch
OF eggs and hatch them. running with
them all through the season and the
mouIting comes gradually. the birds
losing but feather or two at time.
But man, in his work Of forced egg
production. forces the hen to lay as
soon as possible. As result, many
.of the hens which have been heavy
layers go into moult in a state of
semi collapse from the long contin
ued strain. Many a good hen Is not
able to stand the strain Of the moult,
as it comes right after the greatest
laying season of the year
For this reason many an owner is
called upon to mourn the loss Of a
number of his good hons. The fowls
have been fed to their capacity for
months to get the increase in egg pro-
duction.
When this moulting comes it is
folly to keep up heavy feeding The
hen is in no condition to take care of
il, and may die of indigestion before
she really gets into the moult Ma
terial aid can be rendered in this
moult by iudicious Feeding. Cut
down all grain food to one meal a day
and that at night. omit all mashes
and animal foods of all kinds.
Green Food Proper Diet.
Give them all the good green food
they will eat-in fact, the more the
better Have # of appetizing kinds.
so they will get a good deal of IT,
It may consist of cabbage, lettuce,
beets, etc, all of which would be the
better for being run through grind
er of some kind
1t may be a regular root cutter, a
bone grinder, or anything that will
shred il up in a palatable condition.
About three times a week feed wheat
bran slightly moistened with cold
water or sweet milk, feeding Just as
much as they will clean up with a
relish
Keep up this method of feeding for
about two weeks and a half or until
the old feathers begin to fall out
freely. when the tactics should be
changed to an opposite kind of food
1t should consist of good, rich
mashes with plenty Of beef scraps
added and a good proportion Of corn
meal. The addition Of a little flax
seed meal to the mash win help the
feathers TO slip. II should not be
more than / part to so of the whole
bulk of mash thoroughly stirred
through.
If YOU can not buy the naXseed
meal Of your druggist, use sunflower
seed. using about three pounds in
the place Of one of the flaXseed. Con-
tinue TO give them all the vegetables
they will eat.
The mashes should be fed in the
evening and the grain in the morning
In a good. deep litter 10 induce eXer-
else If these methods are systemat-
ically carried forward, splendid re-
suits will follow the prompt and sat
isfactory moult, and you can be sure
of a good egg production in the fall If
you care to keep up the battle.
Give Hens Rest.
If YOU are running commercial
egg place or want TO get all the eggs
YOU can. regardless of consequences
that is what you want to do, but II
YOU are breeding for selling stock and
eggs for Matching. and these are the
hens you are wanting to breed from
the following spring, give them all the
rest they Will take in the fall, which
will fit them for the very best that is
possible in the spring when you most
need them.
Now. if YOU are not prepared nr
willing to carry this plan forward TO
the letter. steer clear Of the whole
thing and let matters take their
course. It is advisable to keep all