The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-12-25
ny MRS. JOHN q. MOSES.

Fly NRS. JOHN q. MOSES.
 Winter greens for the flock is one of the most profitable additions to the poul- | try bill of fare which the average flock owner can supply When grass is avali- able, the fowls get plenty of green feed from rustling about on the open range. | With the coming of jack frost, the pas ] turage is exhausted and it becomes neces- sary for the poultryman to provide his hens with some juicy, succulent and nu- tritious substitute for grass.
 ! The variety of green feeds available for winter use is enough to avoid monotony For instance, spDouted oats may be used ! lprofitably, although the preparation Of ! this material usually involves some eA- ! tra care and exertion, Alfalfa meal. which now is available on the market. may be had at prices consistent with the ultimate value of the egg crop, while ! chopped alfalfa and clover hay also far lnish nourishment and succulence at mod crate cost. Cabbages are used by many hen owners as bulky and sappy feeds 10 satisfy appetites craving for green stuff while mangel-wurzels, which usually have to be grown by the flock owners in his home garden, as if is difficult to secure these beets on the general mar ket;, also are keeuly relished by the fowls and are well qualified for a place in the winter ration. As rule cabbages
 
 pieces of twne which are fastened to mails overhead. The mangel-wurzels are usually split and stuck on nails on the side walls of the pen about foot above the floor, the plan being to provide the hens with just as much of this juicy feed as they will clean up with a relish and without waste.
 Vegetables which have been frozen can be thawed out and fed to the fowls, but
 
 be used quickly, as they do not keep we'll after thawing. Clover and alfalfa may be fed as hay cut into one-qu9rter or one-half inch lengths, or they may be purchased and fed in the form of meal
 Oats for sprouting are soaked over night in warm water and then are spread out from one-half to one inch thick on specially arranged trays having perfor- ated bottoms, the trays then being put into an oat sprouter The oats should be watered thoroughly and the trays should be turned around once daily in order to assure even sprouting. During cold weather artificial heat should be supplied by the use of a kerosene lamp or some similar means. It is essential to use a good grade of oats and to allow daily a square inch of sprouted oat sur face to a hen, feeding the sprouted oats on the floor of the poultry house or in the yard. At any time after the sprouts are well started-usuaIly from five to seven days after the grain is placed in the sprouter- this green material is avail able for feeding to the flock. It is neces- sary to keep the oat sprouter clean and to spray it occasionally with a distinfec- tant to prevent the growth of molds /
 Potatoes and turnips are also satisfac- tory as a winter feed for the hens, al though it is' essential to cook these root crops before they are suitable for flock use Clover may also be cut into short lengths, from one-fourth to one-half M inch, and placed in a bucket Then boil ing water should be poured over the clover and the material should be allowed to