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Show SKIMPING OF FEED IS FALSE ECONOMY Moulting Hens Should Have Substantial Diet. By Rot S. Dearstyne, Extension Poultry Specialist. North Carolina State College. YVNU Serv;ce. A mistaken sense of economy frequently fre-quently induced poultrymen to feed their hens sparingly during the moulting period. Attempts to save feed nt this time will prove costly to the poultrymen in the long run. When birds are fed scratch feed alone or only a limited amount of mash, the moulting period is prolonged pro-longed and they are unable to put on the necessary weight to carry them through the next laying season. sea-son. The result Is a drop in egg production pro-duction that more than offsets the money saved by skimping on feed. Moulting birds have passed through a heavy laying period which taxed their vitality and reduced their body weight. They are also losing feathers which must be replaced. re-placed. The birds need a balanced diet with plenty of protein to build up their muscular and glandular tissue tis-sue and to grow new feathers. A balanced mash and a liberal ration ra-tion of scratch feed should be before be-fore the birds at all times. Since most poultry flocks are more or less infested with intestinal parasites it is advisable to deworm moulting birds not in lay. This will Insure better health during the laying year. Late moulters and birds laying through the moulting period are considered most profitable. An abundance of good feed will help keep the birds in lay and shorten the period required for moulting. |