POULTRY NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 1861, 22 July 1887, Page 8

POULTRY NOTES.

FEEDING FOWLS.

No fowls require at most more than three meals per day ; and, as a rule, do far better with two. The first should, and in confinement must, consist of soft or pulpy food of some kind, and be given early in the morning. If the fowls be at liberty, or have large grass runs, they should have nothing further until about half an hour before they go to roost, when they should have another feed of grain. In point of quantity no fixed scale can be given ; some breeds eat double the quantity of others, and even the same hen will v -quire a very different allowance, according as she is laying or not at the time. Nevertheless, there is a rule, simple and easily understood, which will unfailingly secure both health and eggs; and that is, to giye the birds just as much as they will eat with an eager or ravenous appetite, and no more. We are speaking now of adult fowls, and such must on no account be allowed to have as much as they will eat. Directly they cease to run if the food is thrown to them, or commence " picking it over " if given in a trough or saucer, it should be stopped or taken away. On no account especially must any be left. While no absolute scale can be given, for the reasons stated, it will generally be found that hens of large breeds when laying or moulting require about as much meal or dough as would make a ball two and a-half inches in diameter for their food every morning, and a woman's handful (we mean to be taken with the palm downwards) of grain at night. Indeed fpr large bree.ds this " handful " system will generally be a safe one as regards the the grain, but for smaller fowls from Spanish downwards, should have rather less, according to size. But the only real rule is that we have given above, and we will add the caution that many on trial will not think it enough. We often have had visitors remark that our own fowls " must be halfstarving " as they saw them fly up in the air when their breakfast was taken out to them. They are, in fact, always ready for food ; but we are certain, from long experience, that this system of feeding is the best, not only for profit, but for real healthy condition. In bad or cold weather, or when moulting, a very little more may be allowed but we never allow our own'birds (we speak of adults only) to eat to repletion. Such will always destroy the profit of keeping poultry, at least in a confined space. Even in strict confinement, where every at#m of food must be supplied, there should apt be a third regular meal, but simply a smalj. handful of grain among eyery two or thr-ee birds, according to their swjej to afford them gratification and keep the appetite alive,

When' the system is debilitated by disease, it should be strengthened and renewed with Ayer'o Sarsaparilla. This medicine invariably proves itself worthy of all that can be said in its favour. Sold by druggists and dealers in medicines,— [Advt.]