414 Missouri Agricultural Report. 



one to two gallons of water per day. "Too much stress cannot 

 be placed on the necessity of having good water, as impure water 

 will undoubtedly cause sickness among the poultry. The more 

 green food consumed, the less will be the quantity of water need- 

 ed." 



The feeding of chicks has already been touched upon. A bal- 

 anced ration is important in the feeding of fowls. By a "balanced 

 ration" is meant one in which the protein and carbohydrates is 

 properly proportioned. Chickens on outside range balance their 

 own rations. All feeding stuff contains three elements to greater 

 or less degree, protein, carbohydrates (including fat) and ash. 

 Protein makes flesh, blood, muscles and tendon. Carbohydrates 

 supply fat, heat and energy. Ash supplies the mineral needed in 

 bone and egg making. The condition of the fowl is always the 

 best guide in making rations. If the birds are getting too fat 

 reduce the carbohydrates (starch, oil, fat of grain, etc.) and in- 

 crease foods rich in protein. Skimmed milk is a valuable source 

 of animal protein. Study both the food and the fowl. In cold 

 weather, fowls need more fuel nutrition. Laying hens require 

 more protein in order to secrete white of Qgg, which is a form 

 of protein called albumen. A hen that lays 150 eggs per year 

 will require for egg shell alone, m.ore than 1 1-2 pounds of mineral 

 matter. Wheat, bran, clover and turnips are rich in mineral 

 matter. 



Cottage cheese is rich in protein, but poor in fat. Earth 

 worms and grass hoppers contain nearly ten times as much pro- 

 tein as fat. Fowls are grain-eaters and are also fond of meat, 

 so they must have animal food to make a balanced ration if they 

 have not access to soil containing worms, or a range providing 

 bugs and grasshoppers. One pound of fresh cut green bone is 

 sufficient for sixteen hens. Meat meal and fresh meat are good, 

 but too much will cause intestinal trouble. Many a farmer has 

 found his hens have increased in egg laying soon after "hog kill- 

 ing time," the animal matter which they got at that time being 

 just what was needed. Some have found it a good plan to oc- 

 casionally buy a piece of cheap meat and hang it up where the 

 hens could peck at it. Cabbage or other vegetables may also be 

 fed in the same way, and the more of such food the better. Hens 

 need green food and plenty of it. 



The system of dry mash feeding is one that is now generally 

 recommended, especially for laying hens. One authority says, 

 "Feed grain and vegetables, in straw, in morning, making birds 



