On investigating the litter around the Mash Boxes there will always be found a certain amount of Mash that has been scratched out of the troughs, and to a certain extent neglected. The experiment was therefore made of omitting the Mash on Sunday, and at once Biddy became extremely energetic in her efforts to extract from the litter every particle of Mash which she had wasted through the week. It is quite possible that by continuing the Mash ration on Sunday a trifle higher egg average might be maintained throughout the week. When the cost of feeding is figured in, however, it is found that there is a real saving in discontinuing the Mash for one day. The plan has now been in operation for over eight months, and there is no reason, so far as can be seen, why the old method of preparing the Mash seven days in the week should be returned to. The economy lies in the fact that Biddy cleans up what might otherwise be a considerable waste, and in this way supplies herself with a fair mash ration for the one day. Of course the green food and the grain ration are fed exactly as on any other day. The original experiments in mustard feeding, referred to in this chapter, were conducted by Messrs. Ralph R. Allen, Editor of _Monthly Hints on Poultry_, and Mr. A. J. Odam, at Llangammarch Wells Poultry Farm, Great Britain. CHAPTER XXII Breeding Hens During Moult--Coming Breeders Must be Kept Exercising Through This Period The hens which are to be breeders and the producers of the hatching eggs for the coming Spring are selected as early in the Fall as possible. The quarters into which they are to be moved would have been most carefully cleansed, and then disinfected with Kerosene and Crude Carbolic. After this, fresh, clean litter would be put in, and for these yearling hens we make it a practice to place eight inches of straw on the floor, for they have well learned the lesson of digging in the litter and very rapidly knock the straw to pieces. The tendency of a hen during the moult is to be inactive. In many cases she feels far from comfortable. The growing of her new dress is a process which drains her system of an immense amount of vitality, still she must be made to take a certain amount of exercise, and therefore the litter must be constantly looked after, and kept in a condition which will compel her to work persistently for her grain ration. Do Not Overfeed The Mash Boxes are most carefully watched, and the moment there is the slightest inclination not to clean the Mash up thoroughly, the quantity is cut down. It would be somewhat easier if all the hens would moult simultaneously, but this they do not do, and so the needs of the different individuals during the moulting period have to be looked after.