Salt and Grinding Material 391 



The bony framework is also rapidly formed in the 

 growing bird, so that mineral matter is in imperative 

 demand. The results of many trials made at the New 

 York Experiment Station are clearly in accord with 

 this assumed need. As has been previously men- 

 tioned, the addition of phosphate of lime from several 

 sources to rations for young fowls has noticeabl}^ 

 increased their efficiency. 



Common salt in considerable quantity is a neces- 

 sity to the living animal. Some foods contain a 

 probably sufficient amount, but in others the propor- 

 tion is very small. In order to make sure of an 

 excess and to avoid any possible deficiency it is well 

 to add salt regularly to the food, especially when it 

 also increases the palatabilitj' of the ration. About 

 five ounces in every 100 lbs. of food has been found 

 a safe proportion. Fowls regularly accustomed to salt 

 are not likely to eat an injurious quantity of very 

 salty material when it is accidentally within their 

 reach. Pigeons are very fond of salt and a liberal 

 allowance is generally considered necessary to insure 

 health in the loft. 



Fowls at liberty are generally able to find grit 

 enough in the form of sharp pebbles and sand to facili- 

 tate the grinding which occurs in the gizzard. When 

 they are confined or do not have extended range, 

 sharp and hard grit of some kind should always be 

 freely supplied. Clean, sharp sand is useful for the 

 very young birds, and is quite generally considered an 

 essential part of all mixtures fed to ducklings. Good 

 results accompany its free use. 



