Norwich bulletin., 1915-11-18
AGRICULTURAL INTERESTS
METHODS OF FEEDING POULTRY Hours at Which Rations Are Given
 As Important as Kinds of Feed.

Much is written regarding the best rations for laying hens and the best way to prepare poultry feeds, but even more important is the method by which these rations are given to the fowls. Given the best ration that can be combined will not give the best possible results unless it lis fed at proper times and the right amount. One of the most important points to- be remembered in the feeding of poultry is that of regularity. The. rations should be fed at the same hour each day, and same feeds given. Hens are creatures of habit and if their daily routine is disturbed they will not lay as we'll as they would if they were given their feeds when they were looking for them.
 It is very important that a scatch grain should be fed early enough in the afternoon to give the hens plenty of time to eat large quantities of it In order that they may receive all that their crops will hold, second feed about one-half hour before the birds go to roost is of great value during the months of November, De- cember and January. The afternoon feed should be at o'clock and the supplementary feed at about 4.30. Poultrymen who follow this system of feeding will be surprised to see how much more grain fowls will eat if
 
 tiy to pick it up without much exer- else in hunting for 1t. When birds are on the roosts fl or 15 hours they require tremendous amount of food in their crops to keep their digestive organs active throughout the night. On the other hand, the morning ra- tion should be given in very limited quantities, and some poultrymen find excellent results from feeding grain only once a day, at night. and feeding a sufficient n 1aff over for the morning feed. It is, however, important that the hens should clean up all of their grain once a day, so that when the night feed is given they will be hungry for more. If a dry mash is fed it may be kept before them all of the time, or as is recommended by the New York ex- perimental station, the hoppers may be kept closed until 10 o'clock in the morning and then opened for. the re- mainder of the day. The amount of dry mash which the birds consume should indicate to the poultryman what course to pursue in this matter If wet wash Is fed it should be given at Il or F o'clock so that the birds will have time to digest it before the afternoon ration is given.
 The feeding of green food which is very important should take place at about o'clock in the morning. thus dividing the day into equal parts. as Tar as rations are concerned and giv- ing the birds something to do all of the time. The old-fashioned method of feeding the birds warm mash early in the morning has proved to be very unsatisfactory, particularly with the heavier breeds, because it results in their standing about on the floor and on the roosts for the rest of the day fully satisfied with what they have received. It results in discomfort to the fowls and lack of exercise and it is certain that the highest egg pro- duction cannot be obtained unless the birds exercise well during the win ter time Probably the best system of feeding during the winter time is to keep a dry fash before the birds all of the. time and feeding them a very limited amount of warm mash at II o'clock. t~' E