Now, the mustard used in this experiment was highly concentrated table mustard, and while the cost, where only six hens were being fed with it, amounted to very little, on a large plant like The Corning Farm, the question of cost becomes a serious item. Whether to feed concentrated mustard or a mustard bran was found to be worthy of careful consideration, because it was impossible to get nearly as perfect a mixture in the Mash, with a small quantity of highly concentrated mustard, as with a mustard not so strong but running three times the amount in bulk. As an illustration of the advisability of introducing the mustard in form of bran we might say that, by using a small quantity of one certain meal carrying a very high percentage of protein, it would be possible to introduce into the Mash the amount of protein desired, but by using a number of meals, each carrying a small percentage of protein, a much better Mash results, and every bird is able to get its due and necessary proportion of the ingredients.
Mustard Increases Fertility
The three pens before mentioned, after being fed as described through the Winter months, were mated in the month of March, and it was found that the fertility of the eggs of the mustard fed pen far exceeded that of either of the other pens, and that the resulting chicks were much stronger, developed better, and were altogether more desirable than the chicks produced where the birds had been fed merely the ordinary ration, and where the attempt had been made to stimulate the egg production by the use of red pepper.
The exact action of mustard, in the animal or human being, is a somewhat disputed point, but the Medical Fraternity seems to agree that it increases the secretion of gastric juices, and very decidedly promotes good digestion.
A great layer must be a large eater, but she cannot be a large eater unless she is kept in perfect health, and has the necessary appetite which only comes when in a strong, robust, vigorous condition.
The Corning Egg Farm has fed mustard in a way that it has never been fed before; the egg production has increased very materially; the percentage of fertility has run considerably higher; the germs have been strong, large, hatchable germs, and the resulting chicks, have come into existence with a jump and, where they have been properly handled, have rapidly grown into sturdy youngsters.
4,000 Layers Fed Mustard
We started to feed our breeding pens with mustard in the Mash just at the time we desired them to come into eggs, and they responded at once. That is to say, after the Mash containing mustard had been fed to them for about a week, the egg output increased daily, and not only did it increase, but the high marks which were reached were steadily maintained. Four thousand layers have been fed mustard in their Mash daily, and after months of this feeding the flocks have never been in better health, and the egg production has never been equaled even on The Corning Egg Farm.
The Mustard Bran is about twenty-five per cent. of the cost of table mustard.