MINERALS FOR POULTRY 201 



Lettuce is as desirable a source of succulent feed as cabbage, 

 but, owing to the smaller yield, its poor keeping qualities, and its 

 high market value for human consumption, it is little used for 

 poultry. It is often economical to raise small quantities of lettuce 

 for the feeding of baby chicks, as they relish it and thrive on it. 



Kohl-rabi may be spoken of as a turnip-cabbage. The fleshy 

 stem is used for its succulence. In value it is about equal to 

 turnip, and the keeping qualities are good. 



The rape plant is a rapidly-growing annual plant and is coming 

 into quite general use as a poultry forage crop. Immense yields 

 are secured where it is grown for soiling, and when pastured it 

 grows continuously through the summer. 



Swiss chard is planted in rows and cultivated, the crop being 

 supplied to the birds at regular intervals. The chard will grow 

 continually after each successive cutting, and one seeding will 

 produce a large amount of succulent feed in a season. 



Minerals for Poultry. — The importance of minerals in poultry 

 rations has been much neglected in the past. Recent experiments 

 tend to show that the character, composition, and source of min- 

 erals or ash in a ration are the determining features as to the 

 efficiency of a given ration. 



Dry ground bone, in its many forms, and if of good quality, 

 has proved to be a very good source of both protein and phos- 

 phate. Samples averaging 25 per cent protein and 24 per cent 

 of mineral matter can be purchased so reasonably as to make 

 them, beyond doubt, a very economical source of protein and 

 ash. Birds relish dried bone. It has no laxative properties, and 

 is recommended for the feeding of baby chicks and growing stock. 



Fresh cut bone consists of refuse bone and clippings from 

 butcher-shops. This product when available, ground in especially 

 prepared cutters, is a very good source of protein and mineral 

 matter. The supply is usually limited, and the price rather high. 

 Where a large number of birds are to be fed, it is better to 

 purchase the bones in bulk, and grind them by the use of a power 

 bone cutter on the plant. Fresh bone is not good for growing 

 chicks, but will produce excellent results when fed to laying stock. 

 It is very forcing when fed in large quantities, and it is the best 

 practice to limit it to less than 15 per cent of the dry-mash ration. 

 (See also page 195.) 



Oyster shells, when fed to poultry, supplies to laying hens the 

 carbonate of lime for the egg shell, and, in the case of growing 



