Milford chronicle., 1917-09-21
How To Get Winter Eggs.
By J. H. MeFAUL, Jr.
L4H Rights ReSs'7sA

Keep this in hoppers before them at all
times.
There are MANY persons who feed the
mash in wet form, in which case the one
given above can be moistened, but do
not advise feeding wet mashes; particu-
larly when the dry mash accomplishes
/ the same results and avoids the MANY
dangers which follow the feeding of a
wet one. Great care should be taken in
moistening any mash food in order to
avoid feeding it sloppy.
There are many reasons why, in my
Judgment, you should steer clear of wet
mashes. but at this time will simply say
stick to the dry" With the mash food
prepared as already stated and kept con-
stantly before the fowls, together with
daily allowance of green food and two
| feelings each day of we'll balauced grain
ration, scattered in a good light litter to
furnish the birds with sufficient exercise,
the problem of getting winter eggs is
practically settled. of course, with the
proper feeding goes the comfort and
proper housing of the chickens, in order
that they may be kept constantly N lay
ing condition.
In as much as recommend the feeding
of sprouted oats as the best form of green
food l will for the benefit of those who
may never have spronted them, give a
simple way to turn the trick Many poul-
trymen fail to give their fowls this form
OF green food because they think it will
necessitate too much trouble. Sprouting
oats is a simple matter and after you are
prepared to do it, requires but little work.
The farmer is quite different from the
average poultryman, in that he is able to
raise and store many forms of green food
during the summer with practically no
expense, and this can be fed during the
winter.
With the small poultryman this is of
course impossible, and he is forced TO
purchase his green food in the form of
mangels or cabbage at high cost. To
such folks sprouted oats solves the prob
lem.
There are several different kinds of
manufactured oat sprouters; some of
these are more or less dangerous to ran,
owing to their containing a lighted lamp
which is liable to explode. I find the
homemade sprouter will answer every
purpose without fear of danger. Then
too, the manufactured article generally
costs considerable, while one can be made
at home with little or no expense.
With the thought that "every dollar
saved is dollar made" in any business, 1
naturally advocate homemade sprouter.
From old pieces of lumber, construct a
frame to accommodate eight trays, these
to be slid into it on pieces of batting.
Four pieces as corners may be held to-
gether with strips on the outside, after
which the pieces Of batting may be placsd
on the inside to receive the trays. Now
make the trays so as to slide into the
frame on the pieces of batting, and about
two inches deep. Instead of having a
wooden bottom in the trays you may use
close mesh wire, or if the boards are
used, bore a number of holes in them to
permit the water to drip through.
Soak enough oats over night in pail
or keg to fill tray, and in the morning
spread them in it about two inches deep. |
Repeat this each day, and by the time
the eighth tray is filled the first one will |
have sprouted sufficiently to feed. By
soaking oats every night and filling tray |
every day you will be able to give the |
birds their allowance daily without much |
trouble. If the tray is about twelve inches |
square, one quart of soaked oaes will fill |
it.
Set the frame containing the trays in
the cellar, close to a window where it |
can get a little supshine. Once a day |
sprinkle the oats with reasonably warm
water, and if desired, pan may be placed
under the trays to catch the drippings.
One tray of oats of the size mentioned
above will be sufficient for days allow
lnce for fifty fowls.
If the above method of feeding is fol-
Owed you should have little difficulty in
getting a fair supply of eggs during the
winter and your profits from the business
will be materially increased.