Show SHADE FRESH WATER VATER AND PROPER FEED ARE HOT WEATHER HINTS FOR HEN FLOCK t I I I y I Qs Hens Are Happy In the Shade of the Old Locust Tree Prepared by the United States Department Department Department Depart Depart- ment of ot Agriculture Shade and protection from the glare and heat of ot Old Sol mean better and more cheaply matured pullets more summer eggs from the laying fowl and anda a n general abundance of hen happiness Plenty of shade should be provided especially for growing chicks In order that they may thrive and prosper durIng during dur dur- ing lag warm warm weather Shelter furnished hed hedby by plants or trees Is much cooler than that afforded by buildings or other artificIal artificial ar ar- ar- ar means Chicks allowed to range In orchards will not only olly o ly find ample shade and green food but will benefit the trees as well as themselves by destroying Insects and worms Corn or sunflowers will h help lp to provide pro pro- wide vide U the e necessary shade or artificial prote protection tion may be obtained by supporting supporting supporting sup sup- porting frames covered with burlap or branches o of trees a n few feet above the ground Summer Calls for Care Although chicks chick's may be hatched from strong vigorous stock and carefully carefully carefully care care- fully brooded their growth will be retarded unless they receive the proper during warm weather Growing chicks should be provided with plenty of nutritious food IncludIng Including including ing green stuff dry mash and grain A As a supplement to the green food which the chicks will ru rustle tle on the free range a grain mixture consistIng consisting consist consist- Ing of six parts cra cracked ked corn three p parts wheat two parts hulled oats and andone andone andone one part corn corn should be fed where possible The ration may be varied according t to grains available providing the feeding value I is main main- tamed As the chicks get older clipped cUpped oats may be used instead of hulled oats In addition to the above feed a dry mash should be f fed d in a hopper to Wh which C l the e chicks can have access at it t all times A good mixture for tor this purpose purpose c consists of two pounds of corn cornmeal cornmeal- e l one pound of mid dUngs four pounds of rolled oats two pounds of wheat bran and two and andone andone one half pounds of beef scrap Charcoal Charcoal Charcoal Char Char- coal grit and ground oyster shell should be available constantly so that the chicks can help themselves If Ifa a continuous supply of skim milk i Is lit available it may be fed separately In Ina Ina ina a pan and the beef beet scrap In the above ration should be reduced one Whenever r It Is possible growing chicks should be allowed free range so that they may obtain as much natural natural nat nata ural green food such as grass alfalfa and clover as they need Green feed is an excellent tonic for chicks and when they cannot obtain It on range such substitutes as sprouted oats cut clover alfalfa mangel beets or cabbage cabbage cab cab- cabbage bage should be fed dally daily Clean Fresh Water Needed The Importance of clean fresh Water water water wa wa- ter cannot be overestimated In very hot weather fresh water should be provided twice daily dally and whenever possible the water s should be he placed- placed in iii the shade The water pan should be cleaned every day before fresh freshwater freshwater freshwater water is added On many many farms where both chicks and and larger fowls have access to the same range a wire- wire covered frame should be made to protect protect protect pro pro- the feed Intend Intended d for the growing chicks An opening of about four fout inches Is left at the bottom of the frame so that the chicks may run Under under under un un- der to get their feed An abundance of free range should be provided If If the chicks are to make rapid vigorous growth Confining them to a limited range not only Increases increases In in- creases the chances of of disease ase and loss oss of vigor r but also alSo tends to Increase the cost cast of feeding Chickens on free range obtain considerable food such as fiS worms and bugs which help to reduce reduce reduce re re- re- re duce the cost of feeding should exercise every effort to maintain clean and sanitary coops oops and houses Disease most frequently frequently fre fre- fre- fre starts In unclean quarters Each house should be cleaned at least once a a week and clean sand and straw litter should be scattered over the floor When the chicks are confined to a limited range the ground should be spaded at frequent intervals so as aa asto asto to provide fresh ground for them to scratch In ia Chicks should be examined exam exam- med ined oc occasionally y for lice or mites mites and If these pests are present Immediate steps should be taken against them |