Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 38, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 February 1918 — HINTS FOR THE POULTRY GROWERS [ARTICLE]

HINTS FOR THE POULTRY GROWERS

Tn addition to the grain and the table scraps in feeding chickens for meat and eggs, it is well to feed a dry mash. This dry mash is composed of various ground grains and is piaced in a mash hopper or box from which the hens can help themselves. The advantage of feeding such a mash is that the hens always have access to feed, and this tends to make up for any faulty, inexperienced, or insufficient 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 a suitable medium for feeding beef scrap, a certain amount of which may or may not be necessary, depending upon the amount of meat scraps available in the table waste. If the hens show a tendency to become overfat it may be desirable to close the mash hopper during a part of the day and allow them access to it only during a certain period, preferably the afternoon. A good dry mash is composed of equal parts by weight of cornmeal, wheat bran, wheat middlings, 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 given excellent results, is composed of one pound of wheat bran, one pound Of wheat middlings, 6.5 pounds of beef scraps, and 16.5 pounds of cornmeal. The beef scrap used in the dry mash is usually the most expensive ingredient, but it is a very essential part of the- mash and very efficient for egg production. It should not be eliminated or reduced unless the quantity of meat in the table scraps is considerable or unless some other product can be substituted for it. Fish 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 results in egg production and in the quality of the eggs will be unsatisfactory. Green cut bone can often be purchased from the butcher. This material when procured fresh makes an excellent substitute for beef scrap. It should be purchased in small quantities, as it can pot be kept fresh for any length of time and when spoiled may cause severe bowel trouble. It is Jbest fed in a trough not oftener than *evdfc other day, allowing about onehair ounce per bird. Should severe or continued looseness of the bowels follow the feeding Of green cut bone it should be discontinued or the quantity reduced. Vegetable, tops, parings, and other

vegetable refuse supply a valuable and very necessary green feed for the hens. Lawn clippings also are a 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 water and fed in that condition or be mixed with some of the mash or with the table scraps.