310 FARM ANIMALS 



ent without further argument. As already hinted 

 the chicken ration may contain grains of all kinds, 

 either whole or in the form of a mash, boiled pota- 

 toes or other roots can be fed and if possible alfalfa 

 and clover cut fine and moistened and animal feeds. 

 It would be quite impossible to indicate all of the 

 suitable combinations of farm feeds which may be 

 used in fattening chickens and this would be un- 

 necessary even if it were possible for the fact that 

 many references have been made to suitable com- 

 binations which balance the ration for other farm 

 animals, makes it evident that little difficulty will 

 be experienced by the intelligent farmer in com- 

 plying with these requirements in the feeding of 

 chickens. The main point to be considered in 

 fattening chickens is to change the ration frequently. 

 While the fattening period for chickens lasts only 

 about a month the chickens are sure to lose appe- 

 tite and get off feed even in this short period unless 

 suitable attention is given to the ration, particularly 

 to the variation of its component parts. 



An all-cooked ration is usually quite unsuitable 

 for fattening fowls. Cooked food spoils the diges- 

 tion of chickens and for this reason they should 

 always receive a part of their ration raw. This 

 may best be accomplished in so far as the grain 

 part of the ration is concerned by feeding mash in 

 the morning or afternoon and whole or cracked 

 grain between meals by throwing this material 

 into the litter where the fowls are forced to scratch 

 for it. 



Capons may be made from any breed, but prefer- 

 ably from the large meat breeds, such as Light 

 Brahmas, Plymouth Rocks, Wyandottes, etc. In 

 most markets where capons are known and where, 

 therefore, a steady demand exists for them they 



