410 THE FEEDING OF ANIMALS 



closely confined on a clean floor for over three weeks. It 

 was then found that about nine-tenths of the lime in the 

 egg shell was unaccounted for in the food aside from the 

 oyster shells which were fed. 



While less than 10 per cent of the body of a fowl is 

 mineral matter, it consists largely of phosphate of lime 

 and exceeds in proportion that of many foods. The bony 

 framework is also rapidly formed in the growing bird so 

 that mineral matter is in imperative demand. The 

 results of many trials made at the New York Experi- 

 ment Station are clearly in accord with this assumed 

 need. As has been previously mentioned, the addition 

 of phosphate of lime from several sources to rations for 

 young fowls has noticeably increased their efficiency. 



499. Common salt a necessity for fowls. Common 

 salt in considerable quantity is a necessity to the living 

 animal. Some foods contain a probably sufficient amount 

 but in others the proportion is very small. In order to 

 make sure of an excess, and to avoid any possible defi- 

 ciency, it is well to add salt regularly to the food, espec- 

 ially when it also increases the palatability of the ration. 

 About five ounces in every 100 pounds of food has been 

 found a safe proportion. Fowls regularly accustomed to 

 salt are not likely to eat an injurious quantity of very 

 salty material when it is accidentally within their reach. 

 Pigeons are very fond of salt and a liberal allowance is 

 generally considered necessary to insure health in the 

 loft. 



500. Supply of grit for fowls. Fowls at liberty are 

 generally able to find grit enough in the form of sharp 

 pebbles and sand to facilitate the grinding which occurs 

 in the gizzard. When they are confined or do not have 

 extended range, sharp and hard grit of some kind should 



