Alfalfa in Kansas. 437 



hoppers and alfalfa, at the same time so protecting the alfalfa from the 

 ravages of the grasshoppers that a fairly good crop could be cut. One 

 man reported that he not only saved his alfalfa, but marketed the chickens 

 which he used for $15 more than he paid for them, thereby finding a means 

 of marketing the grasshoppers. 



Alfalfa and clover are generally considered to furnish the very finest 

 pasturage for fowls. Cut alfalfa hay that is cured green furnishes an 

 excellent temporary substitute for succulence when steamed. 



The amount of digestible nutrients found in 100 pounds of green 

 alfalfa as determined by digestion experiments with ruminants are 3.6 

 pounds of protein, 0.4 pounds of fat, and 8 to 11 pounds of nitrogen-free 

 extract. It contains 2.7 pounds of ash, and has a nutritive ratio of 1 to 2.7. 



During the last few years finely ground alfalfa hay has appeared on 

 the market as alfalfa meal, and if of good quality, is a good substitute 

 for wheat bran, as it is high in protein, ash, and fat. In buying this feed, 

 however, the guaranteed analysis should be carefully considered, and a 

 careful examination should be made as to the crude fiber content. A 

 large proportion of fiber would indicate that the meal was ground chiefly 

 from stalks, which are of little feed value, rather than the leaves, which 

 contain most of the nutrients. Crude fiber, of which the stalks contain 

 a large proportion, is almost altogether indigestible for poultry. Other 

 alfalfa feeds, known as chopped and shredded alfalfa, are more easily 

 examined and much less liable to be of a poor grade, because of the 

 coarser condition, than alfalfa meal. 



Although alfalfa feed contains a large proportion of nitrogen com- 

 pounds, it must be remembered that they are made from the alfalfa hay 

 and not concentrates, and therefore should not be fed to excess because 

 of their high crude-fiber content and low availability. They may be used 

 with good results up to 20 per cent of the mash portion of the ration, 

 provided no bran is used. The total amount of bran and alfalfa meal 

 should not exceed 25 per cent of the mash at any time. Alfalfa meal has 

 the same composition as does the best quality of alfalfa hay. In protein 

 content it is ahead of that reported for bran or middlings, but the total 

 food value of the latter is greater because they contain comparatively 

 little fiber (average 5 per cent) as compared with alfalfa meal (over 25 

 per cent). 



The mealed alfalfa is also exceedingly valuable as a first bed for the 

 brooder. When chickens are first put in the brooder after hatching they 

 are capable of exercising very little choice in the matter of feed. Where 

 the litter is made up of sand, chaff or other indigestible material, they not 

 infrequently start to eating this, and large numbers of them become 

 empacted and die. Where alfalfa is used it is digestible enough so that it 

 does not do the birds any harm if they do fill up on it. 



A ration for egg production that has given very good results through- 

 out the middle states is the following: 



The scratching ration is made up of three parts (by weight) of wheat, 

 two of corn or kafir, and one of oats. This is fed in a litter, so that the 

 birds will be compelled to scratch for it. A mash feed, which may be 



