CHAPTER XL 

 FEEDING STUFFS. 



There are a large number of feeding stuffs available from 

 which the poultryman can make his selection. Almost any- 

 material used in the feeding of any type of live stock can be given 

 to poultry with safety. It is essential at the outset that the poul- 

 tryman and the student appreciate the value of the different feed 

 materials and their variabilit3\ When determining the advantages 

 and disadvantages of different feedstuffs, four things should be 

 considered: First, the digestibility, as determined by the readi- 

 ness with which the birds utilize the nutrients; second, the total 

 composition, as determined by chemical analysis; third, their pala- 

 tability, which is measured by the ability with which the birds 

 relish the feed; and, lastly, the wholesomeness of the materials. 

 The object of this chapter is to group all feeds in a systematic 

 classification: First, according to whether they are mineral, 

 vegetable, or animal, and then according to their usefulness. 



Souices of Nutrients. — All materials fed to poultry may be 

 divided into two classes, — organic and inorganic. The inorganic 

 or mineral feeds are water, salt, lime, and phosphate. These 

 natural substances are found only in limited quantities in vegetable 

 feeds, such as grains. 



Water. — As has been stated, water is essential in the ration to 

 maintain right conditions in the bird's body and to supply the 

 amount required for the manufacture of eggs, as one dozen eggs 

 contain approximately one pint of water. Water is supplied to 

 the birds in the following ways: (1) Fresh water to drink, and 

 (2) succulent feeds to eat, such as green grass, sprouted oats, beets, 

 cabbage, and other vegetables. 



Salt. — Salt is supplied to increase palatability and to aid diges- 

 tion by diffusion. It should be supplied when necessary in the 

 ration to the extent of not over four ounces to every one hundred 

 pounds of dry feed. 



Li77ie. — The shell of the fresh egg is composed almost entirely 

 of lime. Compounds of lime are used in building bone and are 

 found to a limited extent in other body tissues. Grains are 

 rather deficient in lime, and it is necessary to supply other lime 

 if birds are kept in close confinement. The practical sources 

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