POULTRY.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1188, 7 December 1894, Page 27

POULTRY.

Edited by Red Cap. FEEDING FOR LAYING. . Feeding poultry for the table and for the production of eggs are two xlifferent things. The laying hens require a different ration from the young fowls which are being fed up to make a good appearance on the table. We do not feed the hen because we desire to get her fat, and if given plenty of maize, although it will keep the laying hen warm, it does not provide her with all the constituent elements, that assist in forming an egg. It helps' the yolk very materially, but the hen.. is bothpelled to assort her food. After she has eaten, sufficient maize t 8 provide the yolk, and to supply bodily her next step, is to find, something for the albumen or white. This she procures from mbat dr, milk, and also from the gluteii of wheat, oats* barley and buckwheat: These grains also contain lime and mineral matter,-but even when the hen procures enough albumen, and forms the egg, should ,there be a deficiency of lime, she will deposit her egg without any shell on it. Another very important essential is water. Over 84 per cent, of the egg is composed of Water, and* she iiiust Have it; but how often do we witness the deprivation of the liens of water, although liberally fed. In such cases the farmer wonders why his hens do not lay. In winter good, warm quarters serve to induce laying; ■ If the quarters are kept clean and made comfdrtable the hens will not be troubled U?ith lice or vermin, while disease will be avoided. ;