POULTRr-CRAFT. 93 



of fowls in confinement (comfortable quarters, with exercise) ; may be given 

 as a light morning feed to fowls on a good range. For sitting hens and 

 for ordinary fattening, it may be an exclusive food. 



CRACKED CORN if fed in litter, can be used much more freely and 

 generally than whole corn, though corn that has been long cracked contains 

 proportionately more carbon than whole corn.* Unless it is sifted before 

 using there is some waste of the finer particles, which should be sifted out 

 and thrown in with the meal. Fed with moderate exercise compulsory, 

 cracked corn is under some conditions as good an egg producer as wheat 

 and much cheaper. When an abundance of carbon is needed, it is a better 

 food than either wheat or barley. It may be the only food fed to growing 

 chicks on a range w r here insects and green food are abundant. Such a diet 

 is not the best, but will do when more varied diet cannot be obtained, or 

 would be unprofitable. 



CORN MEAL (coarse, unbolted), forms generally one-fourth to one-half 

 of the millstuffs used in a mash. For young chicks it is often used in much 

 more generous proportion. Under similar circumstances it may be given 

 moistened, uncooked, or scalded, half-cooked, as freely as cracked corn. As 

 well baked johnnycake, it is often made the principal part of a ration for 

 chicks however situated. 



CORN CHOP is finer than cracked corn, coarser than corn meal, and may 

 be used in place of either. 



CORN and COB MEAL contains more indigestible matter than the other 

 straight corn products, but still has digestible elements in nearly the same 

 proportions. Cooked with clover or alfalfa, it makes an excellent mash for 

 cold weather. 



MIXTURES. The most common commercial mixtures, composed largely 

 of corn, are Mixed Chop, corn and oats equal parts, ground; and ''''Prov- 

 ender" a mixture of corn, oats and bran. 



116. Wheat. WHEAT SCREENINGS, DAMAGED WHEAT. Wheat 5s 

 rated the best single grain for poultry. Principally in connection with the 

 use of wheat has arisen a question of the relative values of sound and 

 damaged grains as poultry food. Wheat being a staple of human food t 

 the price of good wheat usually rules high as compared with other grains 

 especially corn, the only other grain of which fowls are fond as of wheat. 

 Wheat of fair quality, broken (good) wheat, and good wheat screenings, are 

 as good poultry food as the very finest milling wheats. No ordinary test will 

 find them inferior. Poor wheat and dirty screenings can be fed to advantage 

 only when bought very cheap. Wheat damaged by fire or water can also be 

 fed to advantage, if not so much damaged that well conditioned fowls refuse 

 it, and if the price is right. In 'buying such goods, it is a safe rule to buv 

 * NOTE. Many poultrvmen crack corn as needed, thus getting its full food value. 



