Hard Coal Ashes, Oyster Shell, and Grit
As stated in the chapter on “Anthracite Coal Ashes,” ashes have
entirely taken the place of charcoal on The Corning Egg Farm. They
are fed in hoppers with the Grit and Oyster Shell. These hoppers are
divided into three compartments, and are automatic in feeding down the
ingredients, in small quantities at a time, for Biddy’s use.
It is very essential to supply the hen with the proper grinding
material for operation in her mill, for, from the crop, what she takes
into her system in the way of grain, etc., is passed into the gizzard,
where she places a certain amount of hard, sharp stones, to use as
mill stones, and this great muscular organ then puts the food into the
proper condition for her to assimilate it.
The Grit placed in the hoppers is hard and sharp. Ordinary pebbles are
of no use to Biddy in preparing her food for digestion. There are a
great many different grits on the market sold through Poultry Supply
Houses, and by the manufacturers themselves. Where it is possible to
procure Grit having the essentials as already described, and carrying a
good percentage of lime, it adds very materially to the desirability
of the Grit.
Oyster Shell occupies the third compartment of the hoppers, this
supplying the hen with the lime necessary for her own system and for
the shell of the egg. It should be seen to that the Oyster Shell is
free from dust, and rather coarse as to its size. This represents an
economy because there is so little waste by the fowls when the Shell is
fed to them in this condition. The lack of lime in the system of the
hen is one of the reasons for soft shelled eggs, and the lack of lime
in the ingredients fed to a young chick means soft bones, which shows
most decidedly in leg weaknesses.
Where the hen is supplied with the full quantity of the ingredients
which give her lime, she turns out eggs which you might term “well
shelled” and this adds materially to the appearance of the egg, and,
consequently, helps to give it a better grading.