DESCRIPTION OF FEED STUFFS 



of the yeast is to either change the feed by fermentation 

 or to add valuable food constitutents, especially vitamines, 

 of which yeast has a high content. In some work con- 

 ducted with yeast no beneficial effects were noticed from 

 the use of 3 per cent of dry yeast in the dry mash nor 

 where a similar amount of yeast was used in fermenting 

 poultry mash before it was fed. Bacteria and harmful 

 organisms are apt to get into the fermenting mash during 

 the time it is being held for fermentation which may do 

 more harm to the fowls than the good that might be done 

 by the yeast. Similar results in the, use of yeast have 

 been secured in hog feeding, showing that it was not an 

 economical feed for that purpose, under present condi- 

 tions. 



POISONOUS PLANTS 



Poisonous plants are not of a great deal of importance 

 in the feeding of poultry as fowls will rarely eat plants 

 which are poisonous unless they are forced to by extreme 

 hunger. Diseased feed, or grain diseases, are much more 

 dangerous as there are several fungi which attack grains 

 that may injure poultry if much of the fungus is con- 

 sumed. Ergot, a fungus which attacks rye, is especially 

 injurious. The condition of the feed is also important 

 in this connection as spoiled feed will produce very serious 

 results. Damp grain which becomes sour and moldy is 

 the cause of a great deal of damage, especially in corn 

 and corn meal. In the early spring and summer it is very 

 necessary to watch the cracked corn very carefully to 

 prevent heating of the mass and spoiling. 



