Show SHADE FRESH WATER AND PROPER FEED ARE HOT WEATHER HINTS FOR HEN FLOCK ak V 1 1 I 1 r 1 31 ir ira A hens hans are happy in the shade of the old locust tree prepared by the united states department 0 of agriculture shade and protection from the glare and heat beat of old sol mean better and more cheaply matured pullets more summer eggs from the laying fowl and a general abundance of lien hen happiness s plenty of shade should be provided especially for growing chicks in order that hat they may thrive and prosper during warm weather shelter furnished by plants or trees la is much cooler than that afforded by buildings or other at ar maccal means chicks allowed to range in orchards will not only find ample shade and green food but will benefit the trees as well as themselves by destroying insects and worms corn or sunflowers sun flowers will help to provide the necessary shade or artificial protection may be obtained obtain ed by supporting frames covered with burlap or branches of trees a few feet above the ground summer calls for care although chicks may be hatched botched from strong vigorous stock and carefully brooded blooded bro oded their growth will be retarded unless they receive the proper attention during warm weather growing chicks should be provided with plenty of nutritious food including green stuff dry mash and grain As a supplement to the green food which the chicks will rustle on the free range a grain mixture consisting of six parts cracked corn three parts wheat two parts hulled oats and one part corn should be fed where possible the ration may be varied according to grains available providing the feeding value is maintained As the chicks get older clipped oats may be used instead of hulled oat oats in addition to the shove above feed a dry mash should be fed in a hopper to which the chicks can have access at all times A good mixture tor for this purpose consists of two pounds ot of cornmeal one pound of tour four pounds of rolled oats two ot of wheat bran and two and one half pounds ot of beet beef scrap charcoal grit and ground oyster shell should be available constantly so that the chicks can help themselves it if a continuous supply of skim milk la id available it may be led fed separately in a pan and the beef scrap in the above ration should be reduced one half whenever it Is possible growing chicks should be allowed free range so that they may obtain as much natural green food such as grass alfa alfalfa its and clover as they need green feed is an excellent tonic tor for chicks and when they cannot obtain it on range ranga such substitutes as sprouted oats cut clover alfalfa mangel beets or cabbage should be fed dally daily clean fresh water needed the importance of clean fresh water cannot be overestimated in very hot weather fresh water should be ba provided twice daily and whenever possible the water should be placed in the shade the water pan should be cleaned every day before fresh water Is added on many farms where both chicks and larger fowls have access to the same range a wire covered frame should be made to protect hect the feed intended for the growing chicks an am opening ot of about four indies inches is left at the bottom ot of the frame so that the chicks may run under to get their feed an abundance of free range should be provided if the chicks are to make rapid vigorous growth confining them to a limited range not only increases the chances of disease and loss ot of vigor but also tends to increase the cost of feeding chickens on tree free range obtain considerable food such ns as worms and bugs which help to reduce the cost of feeding Poultry men should exercise every effort to maintain clean and sanitary I 1 coops and houses disease most fre starts in unclean quarters each house she should uld be cleaned at least once 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 to provide fresh ground tor for them to scratch in chicks should be examined occasionally for lice or mites and it if these pests are present immediate steps should be taken against them |