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. CHAPTER XVI Beef Scrap and Green Bone Substitutes for Nature’s Animal Food Undoubtedly the ideal animal food for the hen, if it were possible to procure it in sufficient quantities the year round, would be angle worms, grasshoppers, and other members of the insect family, which the early Spring supplies in such liberal quantities. It must be remembered that in these different worms and insects there is a large amount of phosphorous, which adds very greatly to the ability of the hen to successfully digest the large quantity of food which is necessary, if she is to produce a large quantity of eggs. Green Cut Bone Nearest Nature The thing, perhaps, nearest in an artificial way to Nature’s animal food, is green cut bone, and it is certainly relished by the hens, and a great assistance in producing Winter eggs. The exercise of great care, however, in the selection of bone is very necessary, for, if salt bone, or tainted bone, is cut up and fed to the fowls, it will prove most detrimental, and in many instances will mean the loss of the hen. For those who do not find it possible to set up the necessary bone-cutting machinery there are numerous brands of “Beef Scrap” on the market. This is made from green bone and meat which is then cooked, ground and pressed, so as to preserve it fresh and sweet. This also is a most successful way to supply the hens with the necessary amount of animal food. It is readily mixed into the mash, just as the green cut bone is, and, where the proper mechanical mixer is used, it is possible to thoroughly coat the entire meal mixture with the oily condition coming from the beef scrap, and until one has seen beef scrap mixed into the mash by such a mixer he has no idea how successful the operation is in preparing a high grade mash. The beef scrap and also the fresh cut bone carry a high percentage of phosphorus, and in fact have about all the ingredients found in animal food secured by the hen while running on Range.