PRINCIPLES OF FEEDING POULTRY 



basis of an equal consumption of mash and of scratch 

 feed for the year which is the proportion advised for 

 average conditions. 



The composition of the feeds which directly affects the 

 nutritive ratio of a mixture, is not in itself an absolute 

 test of their feeding value for poultry. For instance, cer- 

 tain feeds are high in protein but if the protein is of vege- 

 table origin it is not nearly as valuable for poultry as a 

 feed in which the protein is of animal origin. Feeds high 

 in crude fiber are undesirable in a poultry ration even 

 though they contain considerable protein and other ele- 

 ments useful in poultry feeding. Therefore, it is impos- 

 sible to work out satisfactory rations based on the analysis 

 only, and the palatability and actual feeding practice of 

 these feeds for poultry must be taken into consideration. 



FEED REQUIREMENTS OF CHICKS AND MATURE FOWLS 



A table showing the approximate feed requirements for 

 chicks and fowls was worked out a number of years ago at 

 the New York Experiment Station, Geneva, N. Y., by 

 W. P. Wheeler. The actual working value of such a 

 table is open to question but it does have a value in show- 

 ing the approximate amount of feed required for chickens 

 of different ages. Chickens cannot be fed by a table of 

 any kind with success and the feeding practice must be 

 successfully handled by the actual feeder who judges the 

 amount to give by the appetites of the chickens. Some 

 lots of chickens will consume considerably more feed than 



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