Proper feeding and management of the laying flock is the producer’s responsibility. Well fed, healthy flocks, housed in adequate quarters should average 50 to 70 percent production during the entire laying season. If this production is not attained with proper management practices, the flock owner should give more careful consideration to the type of stock being purchased. Rigorous culling several times during the season should be practiced to eliminate the poor layers and those that drop out of production early. Information available from Extension Service, Iowa State College, in bulletin form, will serve as a guide to proper culling techniques.

The amount of feed consumed by a flock o f laying hens depends largely on the breed, body size and the rate of production. The feed intake of the hen is used (1) to maintain the body and supply body warmth, (2) to increase body weight and (3) to produce eggs. Flocks in heavy production consume much more feed than those producing only a few eggs. Table 2 may be used as a guide to calculate the yearly feed requirement.

The proportion of grain, mash and green feed necessary to make up the yearly diet will vary according to the method of feeding and the amount of protein in the mash. It will be noted that the word ration applies to all the feed elements eaten by the flock from any source.