Jasper County Democrat, Volume 11, Number 52, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 December 1908 — EVER SEE AN "OATS INCUBATOR?” [ARTICLE]

EVER SEE AN "OATS INCUBATOR?”

' About the newest thing In Winamac is an "oats incubator.” c, V. Keeler has just put one in operation at his chicken farm and from it he giyes to his 490 fowls every day several bucketsful of fresh green oat sprouts, which Is claimed to be a very desirable kind of food. The outfit is simple and orignial. It consists of seven crates—one for each day— about .2x2*4 feet ln> site. The crates have wire screen bottoms, «nd are slid Into a frame one above the other with nine inches of space between. In the bottom of each crate are several layers of burlap. On top of this each morning water is poured onto the top crate —enough to give the pats a good soaking. The water gradually drips from one crate to another, mdistenlng the grain in every crate, the surplus falling into the .pan at the bottom. The oats Sprout and grow, and at the end of seven days each crate gives a crop of tender shoots about three inches high. These are pulled out by the roots and fed, and one can imagine how a chicken goes after it. Thus a bucketful of oats makes four or five bucketsful of green feed. Mr. Keeler has the affair In his incubator cellar, where the sprouting goes on constantly, each crate being "loaded" for the same day next week* Immediately after it is emptied. Mrs. J. H. Weaver, seeing the young farm In successful operation, has this week installed one for her large flock of chickens, and Henry Barnett- is donlg likewise.—Pulaski County Democrat.