The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1918-02-28
HINTS FOR THE
POULTRY GROWERS


In addition to the grain and the
table scraps in feeding chickens IOr
meat and eggs, it is well to feed dry
mash. This dry mash is composed or
various ground grains and is placed
in a mash hopper or box from which
the hens can help themselves. Inc
advantage of feeding such mash is
that the hens always have access to
feed, and this tends to make up for
any faulty, inexperienced, or INSULT
cient feeding. The hens do not like
the dry mash so well that they are
likely to overeat, but it will supply a
source of feed in case they are not
getting enough. The dry mash also
provides q suitable medium for feeding
beef scrap, certain amount of which
may or may not be necessary depend
ing upon the amount of meat scraps
available in the table waste. If the
hens show tendency to become over
fat it may be desirable to close the
mash hopper during a part of the day
and allow them access to it only dur
ing a certain period, preferably the
afternoon. A good dry mash is COM
posed of equal parts by weight of
cornmeal, wheat bran, wheat mid
dlings, and beef scrap. Another good
mash is composed of three parts by
weight of cornmeal and one part beef
scrap. Still a third mash, which has
rriu re- G
one pound Of wheat bran, one pound
Of wheat middlings, 6.5 pounds of beef
scraps, and 1875 pounds of cornmeal.
The beef scrap used in the dry mash
is usually the most expensive ingred-
lent, but 1t is a very essential part of
the mash and very efficient for egg
production. 1t should not be elimi-
mated or reduced unless the quantity
of meat in the table scraps is consid-
cradle or unless some other product
can be substituted for it. Fis.l scrap,
when available, may replace the beef
scrap, or cottonseed meal can be used
to replace one-half the beef scrap in
the mash. No attempt should be made
to replace more than half the beef
scrap with cottonseed meal, as the re-
suits in egg production and in the
quality of the eggs will be unsatisfac-
tory.
Green cut bone can often be pur-
chased from the butcher. This ma
terial when procured fresh makes an
excellent substitute for beef scrap. 1t
should be purchased in small quanti-
ties, as it can not be kept fresh for
any length of time and when spoiled
may cause severe bowel trouble. 1t is
best fed in a trough not oftener than
every other day, allowing about one
half ounce per bird. Should severe or
continued looseness Of the bowels fol-
low the feeding Of green cut bone it
should be discontinued or the quaint
ty reduced.
Vegetable tops, parings, and other
vegetable refuse supply valuable and
very necessary green feed for the hens.
Lawn clippings also are valuable
green feed. They can be fed as soon
as cut, or they may be dried or cured,
stored in bags, and saved until winter,
when they can be soaked in warm wa
ter and fed in that condition or be
mixed with some of the mash or with
the table scraps.
.e~-~-~-~.~.~~~~o~~~O
changes with a change in the lunar
phases.
These changes, of course, can be pre-
dicted for years in advance with per-
feet accuracy, and If the weather de-
pended on them, weather forecasting
would be the simplest of all the sci
elceS instead 0f tha ,1,oc+ diAGo,,1t