52 



for the high price. It is believed, however, that where the 

 poultry man is able to purchase feed in 100 lbs. lots or over, it 

 will be possible for him to save money if he will purchase the 

 several ingredients and do the mixing himself. 



Chick Feed consists of mixtures of grains 



Chick and Scratch- and seed reduced to such a size as to be 



ing Grains. suitable for young chicks. The price asked 



Pages 33-36. ranged from $2.00 to $3.00 a hundred. While 



this is somewhat in excess of the price asked 

 for many whole grains, special machinery is required to reduce 

 and i:)repare the seed which necessarily adds to the cost. Unless 

 the poiiltry man owns an extensive plant, it will be best for him to 

 purchase this material when wanted, at market prices, rather than 

 to attempt to prepare it himself. In selecting a chick feed, pref- 

 erence should be given to brands that do not contain grit, or an 

 excessive amount of millet or weed-seed. Very few of the samples 

 collected contained grit. 



Sixty samples of scratch grains and whole seeds were collected. 

 Scratch grains consist of varying proportions of corn, wheat, oats, 

 barley, Kaffir corn, buckwheat and often sunflower seed. Other 

 ingredients are occasionally identified; grit and oyster shells are 

 at the present time seldom found. One sample of Greene's 

 scratching feed contained an excessive amount of weed-seed. 

 Most of these mixtures will probably prove satisfactory although 

 home mixtures will prove somewhat cheaper. Where poiiltry is 

 kept on the farm, home-grown grain, especially corn, should be 

 utilized. A mixture consisting of one-half cracked corn, one- 

 fourth wheat and one-fourth barley or oats will make a satisfactory 

 ration. 



The alfalfa meal collected showed a wide 

 Alfalfa and variation in fiber content. The better grades 



Clover Meals. should not contain over 25 per cent of fiber. 

 Page 36. The prices asked ranged from $1.55 to $2.50 



a hundred. Finely cut rowen, home-grown 

 clover cut in the bud and moistened with hot water, roots or 

 cabbage will furnish vegetable matter more economically. When 

 it is necessary to purchase, preference should be given to those 

 brands which contain the smallest amount of fiber. 



