BEST WINTER FOOD FOR HENS.
By Miller Purvis
Miller Purvis, in Chicago Tribune. A FEW days ago there appeared in the Tribune an article signed J. L. Naughton, in which it was stated that the writer heard a professor of chemistry in a medical college say that the reason hens do not lay in winter is because of the lack in their food of albumen, from which to elaborate material for the formation of the yolks of the eggs. The writer then states that “powdered red albumen,” mixed with an equal quantity of black or red pepper, will stimulate egg production wonderfully, and gives as an example his brother’s success from feeding it. If albumen is needed to feed hens, it is not needed for furnishing yolk material, because the yolks of eggs are largely fat and mineral salts, of which albumen forms no part. Laying hens no doubt need a comparatively large proportion of albumen in their food, from which to supply the material for the white of the eggs they produce, these being almost pure albumen. This supply of albumen may be cheaply secured in the form of dried blood, which sells at two cents a pound at retail. This dried blood is fifty per cent albumen, and is sold in the form of a red powder, which suggests that this may be the “powdered red albumen” referred to. Whatever this article may be, the mischievous part of the advice given in the article is the use of pepper. Careful experiments have shown that while feeding pepper regularly will greatly stimulate egg production, it will just as certainly react and ruin the hens. The writer has made poultry a special study for twenty years, and during that time has made many and costly experiments, among the most costly being the feeding of pepper. May I be permitted to add that the best way to promote egg production in winter is to feed wholesome foods, such as corn, wheat, oats, mill stuffs, vegetables, and animal foods in the form of dried beef scraps, dried blood, or freshly cut green bone. Meat food in some form and vegetable food are necessary to best results. Besides these, a warm shelter, plenty of light, pure water, and an opportunity to get exercise are also needed. Any of the foods, except the green bone, may be bought at any of the big stores and at most groceries. The beef scraps or dried blood are perfect substitutes for the bone. Some kind of grit for grinding the food in the gizzard should also be within reach of the fowls. Poultry breeders should not feed pepper in any form.