The Poultry Run.

Matamata Record, Volume II, Issue 93, 1 August 1918, Page 4

The Poultry Run.

THE SCIENCE OF EGG PRODUO TION.: The main duty expected from a hen is the laying of eggs. Even if they are not solely kept for egg-produc-tion, it is very necessary that they, should be looked after in order tQ keep up a supply. In a word, one might say that a hen's reason for existence is the laying of eggs.: The Food Question. In the first place, the food of thr hen goes to replace the tissues that have been used up, to furnish bodily heat and to store up a reserve amount of fat to be used during the moulting period. Only after the bodily needs, have been satisfied can any surplus energy bo put to further use. Therefor* the food supply must satisfy all bodily needs and leave a sufficiency over to perform the process of egg-making.; It will be seen that a knowledge of the chemical properties and constit* uents of the various foods will be of great service. If the poultry-keeper is possessed of this knowledge he can so combine his feeding materials that they give the maximum benefit with, the minimum cost.. A balanced ration is one that contains a proper proportion of all the nutrients. But before making a balanced ration the object of the feeding should be known. You may feed for egg-production or for. fattening, or simply for maintenance. The food is similar, but the essential elements are changed according to the result desired. The Laying Part. To come to the laying part °f tae question, it has been found that the nutrient required for keeping up the laying powers are as follows: Protem io per cent., carbohydrates 35 P er cent., ash matter 2 per cent., dry matter 50 per cent. Variety should always be aimed at, however. Birds are just like human beings, and are apt to become tired of the same diet day after day. Young chickens especially require a change in their food periodically. Instead of .feeding corn (one of the,best foods) alii the time, the man who wishes a good supply of figgs* especially in the Winter months, should ring, the change's on wheat, barley, oats, etc., and see <if the results do not warrant the extra trouble entailed. This is one of the secrets of winter egg production. In. the original course of things hens, laid during the spring and early summer, and it is only by more or less artificial means that birds have been; evolved so that they will lay during; the time appointed by nature for rest. ( The Essential Points. The aim of the poultry-keeper .who, is striving for a good supply of win-J ter eggs is to see that the birds are] cosily housed to begin with. That does not mean that they should be shut up, in a superheated atmosphere, but; that they should have plenty of fresbj air, while at the same time they arescreened from draughts. Beef fed in winter make up for insects that the fowl secures during the summer months. But the owner should be sparing in feeding these, otherwise the birds will gorge themselves and become ill, instead of giving a reward in the shape of an increased number of eggs. Exercise for the fowls in the winter can be provided by throwing the corn among the litter in the, run where they have to scratch to find it. If one expects eggs in winter the hens must be kept busy enough to have them in fine condition. Another fundamental point is to give the birds plenty of green food. It is one of the most important articles of diet.. Giving a Chance. The fowl will balance its own ra* tion if it has a chance. Do yours get a chance, or are they confined in cramped quarters with bare, hard) runs, and obliged to live on whatever you like to throw out to them? Sup;, ply a variety. If permitted to range and find its own food the fowl .will' live chiefly on grains and seeds, an' abundance of green food when available, quantities of worms and bugs, ; some grit and pieces of shell, and drink fredly of watjer. The ration' will have a wide variation according to the success of her foraging, and it will be largely such a food as nature provides in season. Yet, if the fowl has the range of a good-sized farm, gets a good feed of corn on the ear before roosting time, and has good sleeping quarters, the results are generally good. For laying hens during the winter a very good morning food can be made as follows: Scalded bran, four parts; well-cooked maizemeal, two parts; liverine, two parts; sharps, one part; chopped lean meat,, one part; chopped and scalded clover hay, two parts, with a light mid-day feed of oats or barley, and an evening feed of either wheat or buckwheat, or if the weather be very«cold, of broken maize.