OCR Text |
Show EGG-EATING BIRDS NEED GRIT IN DIET Limestone or Oyster Shell Dust Is Favored. By H. II KnufTman. roultry Extension SporlMtat, Pennsylvania Stato CollogK. WNU Sorvloa. Egg eating by hens Is a double-barreled proposition which Involves both cause and effect. When the hens are not getting enough grit or vitamin D they lay weak-shelled eggs. These are easily broken and the hens, which crave the materials lacking In the diet, start eating eat-ing the eggs. To prevent the occurrence of this habit In the poultry nock, oyster shells or limestone grit should, be kept before be-fore the birds all the time. Since they eat off the coarse particles and leave the dust, the grit of oyster shrlls Bhould be stirred occasionally. Vitamin D Is supplied In cod liver oil If the flock is not receiving enough of this substance an additional supply should be allowed, and where none has been fed the omission should be corrected. An eighth of a pint a day for 100 birds Is recommended. This can be fed on the grain or In the mash. Occasionally, even after the deficiencies deficien-cies In the ration have been corrected, the offending hens will continue to eat eggs. If they can be detected they should be removed promptly from the flock. Good nesting material and frequent gathering of the eggs also are helpful practices In preventing or checking the egg-eating trouble. |