Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1918-03-08
HOW TO GET MAXIMUM OF EGGS.
Method of Feeding of Great Importance
Exercise Necessary,

6xeUclBe NeceSSaIy,
The practice OF poultry feeding,
while governed largely by circum-
stances, should as far as possible be
confined to q regular routine, says Kim
ball g Dairy Farmer. Regularity is one
Of the keynotes to success. The hens
very soon learn when to expect their
daily feed, and If they are disappoint-
ed the effect may be noticed in the egg
basket. In addition, the poultry feeder
should learn the Characteristic needs of
his flock and cater as much as possible
to its desires. He should attend to
his duties in quiet manner, avoiding
any action which might brighten the
hens or cause them to become excited.
He should also gain their confidence
and make them feel that he is their
friend. This can be easily done by
displaying interest in their welfare. BY
occasionally feeding them some grain
from the hand pets will soon be Great.
ed, making the keeping of hens q lit
tie more interesting-and also influen-
cling the egg yield.
| In the morning grain should be fed
"a small amount In the litter. This
should be buried deep. Clean water
should be provided. The grit and
shell hopper should be kept filed. AT
noon the dry mush should be fed. AT
night more grain should be fed
enough so that no bird goes to roost
hungry. Every bird should have a
full crop when it goes to roost.
| If the feeder has any doubt, a visit
to the henhouse after the birds have
gone to roost and an examination of
the crops will indicate whether the
correct amount has been fed. A hen
eats approximately 3 to 4 ounces a
day, or about six pounds month. The
amount fed each day varies with. the
appetite of the bird There is no dan.
ger of overlooking, providing the birds
are compelled to take sufficient exer.
else. The aim in poultry feeding Is to
feed all that the bird can consume and
yet be kept busy. I'D
Approximately twice as much grain
should be fed at night as in the morn.
ing. In the morning feed half hand.
full to each bird, at night double this
amount. If the birds do not appear
hungry at the next feeding, too much
has been fed. If they are unusually
eager at the next feeding, too little
was fed at the last feeding. The
amount also varies with the time of
the year, more being eaten in the win
ter, especially if the birds are unaL,
to get food from the yards upon which
they run.
The success of egg production de-
ponds largely upon the activity of the
bird. The reason the Leghorns excel
in egg production is largely because
they keep themselves in good physical
condition. They exercise.
The hen that is inactive and shows
long toe nails is seldom a good pro
Queer The hen that is first off the
roost in the morning, keeps busy dur
ing the day and is the last to 90 to
roost at night is the profitable hen
Some birds have the disposition to tak'
exercise; others have to be forced
This is especially true of the heavier
breeds. Strains of Rocks and Othe
breeds are inclined to DO lazy and il
q short time get so fat that they can
not produce eggs in satisfactory guam
titles. The circulation of blood in tn
ovary is restricted by the excessiv
fat. This unquestionably interfere
with the normal functioning of tn
ovary and reduces egg production. Elk
ercisc can best be encouraged by no
overlooking. The skill of the poultry
feeder is tested by the manner in which
he compels the hens to exercise. Over
feeding causes inactivity, which viii
be manifested by no holes being du!
in the straw Egg production is quit,
largely dependent upon keeping tn,
birds in condition.