1958 



The Cornell Reading-Courses 



Salt does not appear to be so necessary to fowls as to other domestic 

 animals, and it may cause death if given in too large quantity; but mash 

 salted as for human food often seems to be better relished than when 

 fed without the salt. Whether or not salt promotes digestion in fowls 

 has not been proved. 



The use of prepared chick foods. — Commercial chick foods that are 

 free from mustiness and do not contain too much millet are often fed 

 with excellent results. As a rule, however, they are too expensive in case 

 the number of chicks to be reared is large. The poultryman who pre- 

 pares his own chick foods usually saves something on the cost, and by 

 using only the best and cleanest of materials he is, with reasonable care, 

 always sure of the quality of food given. A large variety of grains is not 

 necessary to the growth of the chicks. Corn, wheat, oats (minus the 

 hulls), are sufficient; or wheat fed alone as a grain food or with cracked 

 corn, will give good results. 



Cornell Ration for Chick Feeding 



THE RATION 



Mixture No. i 



8 pounds rolled oats 

 8 pounds bread crumbs or 

 cracker waste 



2 pounds sifted beef scrap 



(best grade) 



1 pound bone meal 



Mixture No. 2 



3 pounds wheat (cracked) 



2 pounds cracked corn (fine) 



1 pound pinhead oatmeal 



Mixture No. 3 



3 pounds wheat bran 

 3 pounds corn meal 



3 pounds wheat middlings 



2 pounds beef scrap (best 



grade) 



1 pound bone meal 



Mixture No. 4- 



3 pounds wheat (whole) 



2 pounds cracked corn 

 I pound hulled oats 



Mixture No. 5 



3 pounds wheat 



3 pounds cracked corn 



THE METHOD 



One to five days 



Mixture No. i, moistened with sour skimmed 

 milk, fed five times a day; Mixture No. 2 in 

 shallow tray containing a little of No. 3 (dry) 

 always before chicks. Shredded green food 

 and fine grit and charcoal scattered over food. 



Five days to two weeks 



No. 2 in light litter twice a day; No. 3 moistened 

 with sour skimmed milk, fed three times a day; 

 No. 3 (dry) always available. 



Two to four weeks 

 As above, except 

 twice a day. 



that the moist mash is given 



Four to six weeks (or until chicks are on range) 

 Reduce meals of moist mash to one a day; 



Mixture No. 4 in litter twice a day; dry mash 

 always available. 



Six weeks to maturity 



No. 3 and No. 5 hopper fed. One meal a day 

 of moist mash if it is desired to hasten develop- 

 ment. 



Further Directions 



1. Provide fine grit, charcoal, shell, and bone from the start 



2. Give grass range or plenty of green food 



3. Have fresh, clean water always available 



4. Feed only sweet, wholesome foods 



5. Avoid damp and soiled litter 



6. Disinfect brooders frequently 



