180 PRINCIPLES OF POULTRY FEEDING 



Wheat and its by-products constitute one of the best groups 

 of feed stuffs for poultry. Oats when clipped are relished by birds 

 and make an economical grain ration. Barley is also a good grain 

 to feed. Buckwheat is rather fattening and usually expensive, so 

 it is best given during the winter and at the evening feeding. Peas 

 are generally expensive; but, being rich in protein and much 

 relished by the birds, they are very desirable when their cost is 

 not too great. 



Need of Variety in the Ration. — Animals as well as people tire 

 of a steady diet. A variety in the ration increases the palatability, 

 and, by adding relish, enhances its digestibility. Variety in the 

 ration allows the birds, if they have a preference, to select the grains 

 which they desire, and those are usually the ones which they most 

 need. Variety can be supplied both in the grain ration and in the 

 dry mash. When changes are made, they should be gradual, 

 allowing birds to become accustomed to them slowly. 



Necessity of Fresh Water. — It will be remembered that more 

 than 65 per cent of the egg and 55 per cent of the bird's body are 

 water (Table V); hence the necessity of keeping an abundant 

 supply before the laying hens and the growing birds at all times, 

 in addition to what they secure from grains and succulent feeds. 

 During heavy laying a flock of 100 hens will drink approximately 

 10 to 15 quarts of water each day, depending upon the size of the 

 birds and the season of the year. 



Relation of Fat to Laying Condition. — Hens with an excessive 

 amount of body fat, due to lack of exercise and the use of fattening 

 feeds, are not in good laying condition, and the egg yield will 

 invariably be retarded. It has, however, been proved by experi- 

 ment that some surplus fat on the body is essential. A fat hen 

 has some surplus energy, but a lean hen requires all the feed she 

 can digest to maintain and build up body weight and cannot use 

 any for production. The laying hen requires considerable fat 

 in the manufacture of the j'olk, which contains about 33 per 

 cent of fat. 



Value of Exercise. — In order to keep her body warm and in 

 proper health, a hen should be compelled to hunt or exercise for 

 the grains which she receives. It is the usual habit of these birds, 

 even little chicks from the time of hatching, to scratch in search 

 of feed. Exercise increases the circulation and enhances vitality. 

 It is true that exercise takes energy, and all energy must be pro- 

 duced from feed; yet the increased amount of feed is amply paid 



