260 ELEMENTARY TREATISE ON STOCK FEEDS AND FEEDING 



The fresh vegetable wastes from the kitchen are relished by 

 poultry and may be utilized advantageously in this way. Suc- 

 culent food is laxative and too much therefore should not be 

 supplied. 



Grit. The hen grinds its food in the gizzard. In order that 

 hens may grind food, grit in some form must be furnished them. 

 When grit is lacking digestive troubles take place. Ground 

 broken glass or mica crystal grit are needed even if sand is sup- 

 plied. Shells do not take the place of grit. As soon as the 

 stones in the gizzard become round they are passed off. 



Lime. As the shell of eggs contain a great deal of lime it 

 must be furnished poultry in some form easily assimilated. 

 Ground oyster shells seem to furnish lime in a splendid form. 

 Limestone is also used. Lame in some form should be before 

 hens at all times. 



Charcoal should be accessible to hens continually. It absorbs 

 objectionable gases and tends to keep the digestive system in 

 good condition. 



Salt in small quantities is desirable. This mineral should not 

 be supplied in large quantities. About 5 ounces to 100 Ibs. of 

 feed are considered safe. 



Exercise. Most birds are naturally very active and require 

 a great deal of exercise to keep the body in good health. Lay- 

 ing hens and breeding cocks especially must have exercise. This 

 can be provided in summer by allowing them liberty or by fur- 

 nishing a yard. In winter the hens should be made to exercise 

 to get their food. This may be accomplished by providing a 

 heavy litter of straw and scattering the grain over it so that 

 the hens will be forced to scratch for their food. 



Palatability of Feed. Experiments have demonstrated that 

 hens are not all alike in their fondness for certain food. Their 

 tastes should be catered to in compounding rations and the best 

 way to do this is to furnish variety. Musty, sour, or unclean 

 food is not desirable for meat or egg production. 



Mash is fed wet or dry and experiments have shown that dry 

 mash is the better. Advantages in feeding dry mash are; the 

 production of more fertile eggs, the feeding receptacles are easily 

 kept clean and sanitary, and time is saved in furnishing food. 



