116 PROGRESSIVE POULTRY CULTURE 



All of the green food mentioned contain a large 

 amount of fiber. The starchy, fatty and mineral nutri- 

 emts are also included in varying degrees. 



The fresh, rapidly growing green crops contain a 

 very large proportion of water which helps to give them 

 succulence. Besides supplying some nourishment these 

 feed-stuffs help to keep the digestive system in good 

 order and tend especially to prevent constipation of 

 the intestinal canal. They also have a beneficial effect 

 upon the blood and the breeding organs and their pro- 

 ducts. Apples and other fruits are sometimes fed to 

 poultry. 



4. Grubs, grasshoppers, flies and other insects, as 

 well as worms and larvae of various kinds detected by 

 the alert eyes of chickens on range are quickly snapped 

 up and swallowed. By this natural plan of feeding, the 

 birds obtain considerable quantities of protein nutrients 

 to balance the starchy grains and seeds which they 

 eat. Only in exceptional cases and at certain seasons 

 is this supply ever adequate. 



To provide protein food in sufficient quantity it 

 usually becomes necessary to feed to the flocks animal 

 food in some form. Meat is a favorite protein food. 

 Use is made of the flesh of horses, cattle, rabbits, etc. 

 Beef scraps and animal meal are by-products of the 

 great packing houses, which are sold in large Quantities 

 for feeding to poultry. Fresh bones are cut to suitable 

 sizes for feeding to fowls. Fish is sometimes utilized 

 for the same purpose. Skim milk, buttermilk and milk 

 curds are rich ini casein which is a valuable protein 

 nutrient. 



As already suggested under grain foods, there are 

 some kinds of beans and peas that fowls will eat as 

 well as clover and alfalfa and these crops supply con- 

 siderable vegetable protein. 



CONDITIONS OF FEEDS AND FEEDING. 



There is naturally great variation In the feeding 

 stuffs used and in the methods of feeding for the flocks 

 of fowls kept in different circumstances. No one plan 



