DESCRIPTION OF FEED STUFFS 



some poultrymen feed this semi-solid buttermilk without 

 any dilution. Only from 2 to 3 parts of water are usually 

 added to the semi-solid buttermilk where it is used in milk 

 fattening as the bleach desired is obtained by the amount 

 of milk consumed by the chickens. As high as 7 parts of 

 water may be added where the semi-solid buttermilk is to 

 be used as a stimulant for laying hens which materially 

 reduce the cost of the milk in the production of eggs. 

 Semi-solid buttermilk contains from 12 to 16 per cent 

 protein, and dried buttermilk usually contains from 30 to 

 35 per cent protein, so that the cost of the protein in milk 

 feeds is much higher than in meat scrap or other high 

 protein feeds. The digestibility of milk is higher than 

 from these other feeds and the milk has decided tonic 

 values in addition to its protein content. It appears most 

 economical to use sufficient milk for its tonic and laxative 

 effects and to depend upon other feeds largely as a source 

 of protein. 



The buttermilk is fed either mixed with the mash or 

 kept before the fowls as a drink. Thirty hens will consume 

 about one-half pound of this milk daily as a drink, if it 

 is diluted with 2 parts of water and kept before them 

 practically all of the time. Semi-solid buttermilk rapidly 

 dissolves in the water and the diluted product has a good 

 consistency, if not too much water is added. All kinds 

 of buttermilk are in great favor for feeding young chick- 

 ens. In many places where ordinary buttermilk or skim 

 milk is not available the semi-solid product is being used 

 quite extensively in the feeding of small chickens. 



