FUNDAMENTALS OF FEEDING 



219 



practice, however, the result would be different. She would 

 not long continue to eat four ounces of wheat and nothing 

 else. There would soon be a loss of appetite and health. 



It is poor economy to feed wheat alone. The same thing 

 is true of corn and all the cereals. None of them are " bal- 

 anced " for egg production. 



A Balanced Ration. This raises the question of what 

 is a balanced ration ? A balanced ration is one containing 

 the right kind of nutrients in 

 right proportions for the pur- 

 pose for which it is fed. 



"We must know the composi- 

 tion of foods before we can 

 figure up a balanced ration. 

 It may not be necessary in 

 practice for the poultryman 

 to figure up balanced rations 

 for his flock. His experience 

 or the experience of others, or 

 the results of tests at experi- 

 ment stations, are a pretty 

 safe guide for the poultry- 

 man ; but in order that he may 

 intelligently plan improve- 

 ments in rations, and adjust 

 his feeding to the available 

 food supply, he should under- 

 stand something of the com- 

 position of ordinary poultry 

 foods. 



What Use Does a Hen Make of the Food She Eats? 

 In other words, what is the purpose of feeding ? The first 

 use she makes of the food is to supply the needs of her 



A BALANCED RATION 



Wheat, oats, bran, and beef 

 scrap in the above proportions 

 make up a balanced ration for lay- 

 ing hens. In addition, green food, 

 grit, and oyster shell must be fed. 



