EXERCISE 91 

 COMPUTING STANDARD RATIONS FOR LAYING HENS 



Statement. The problem of supplying a proper ration for poultry of all classes is one of the most 

 important considerations in the practical handling of birds. The breed, age, housing, season, and range 

 must all be taken into account in compounding the ration. 



Object. To learn the requirements of the laying hen and the most profitable sources of the nutrients 

 required. 



Materials. Paper, pencil, table of feeding standards, and digestible nutrients for chickens. 



Directions, i. Assume that the hens are in full laying and weigh 3 to 5 pounds each, and that the 

 feeds available are corn, wheat, oats, bran, shorts, and meatscrap. 



2. According to the feeding standard the requirements of such hens per hundred pounds live weight, 

 are 5.5 pounds of digestible dry matter, 1 pound of protein, 4.53 pounds of carbohydrates daily. • If we 



fed 2 pounds corn, 2 pounds wheat, 

 1 pound oats, 2 pounds bran, 1 

 pound shorts, and .5 pound meat- 

 scrap, we should supply approxi- 

 mately the amount of carbohydrates 

 required. Determine whether this 

 amount of feed furnishes the re- 

 quired amount of digestible protein 

 and dry matter. Ascertain also how 

 the nutritive ratio of this ration 

 compares with the standard. Sub- 

 stitute 1 pound of kafir and 1 pound 

 of corn meal for the wheat, compute 

 the amount of each group of nutri- 

 ents supplied, and compare with 

 the standards. Drop the oats from 

 the ration and add 1 pound of corn meal and substitute oil meal for the meatscrap. Compute 

 nutrients supplied and compare with the standard in quantity of nutrients and in nutritive ratio. 



3. Make a study of the rations most commonly fed in the neighborhood and compare them with the 

 standard. Suggest improvements in the amount or kind of grain used ; in the amount and kind of 

 high protein feed used. Ascertain to what extent carbohydrates and fattening feeds are used. 



4. Compute the nutrients contained in the rations suggested in the text and compare with the 

 standard. Suggest rations which you could profitably use in your locality. 



Questions. What should the relative proportion of grain and mash be? Why do we feed the flock 

 instead of the individual ? Why is it difficult to feed a flock of mongrels, or a mixture of breeds that vary 

 in size and temperament, with good results ? At which season of the year are eggs produced at least 

 expense? Why isn't it profitable to limit the amount of feed below normal at times when feed is scarce 

 and high in price? What is a scratch feed and of what may it be composed? What is a dry mash 

 and of what may it be composed? At what time of day is a scratch feed given and how is it fed? 

 At what time of day is the dry mash given and how is it fed? Of what advantage is green feed in 

 winter and how may it be obtained ? 



Fig. 143. Influence of a balanced ration on egg production 



In the basket at the left are no eggs, the average first-year production of ungraded hens 



fed on a balanced ration. In the basket at the right are 65 eggs, the average first-year 



production of ungraded hens receiving an unbalanced ration. (Courtesy of the Kansas 



State Agricultural College) 



References. Lippincott, W. A. Poultry Production, pp. 

 Essentials of Agriculture, pp. 427-428. Ginn and Company. 



[180] 



359-376. Lea & Febiger. Waters, H. J. 



