228 POULTRY CULTURE 



Green food is supplied in the form of sprouted oats. In succeeding months 

 one half part of linseed meal is added to the mash every other month. 



It is reported that better results followed the change in the mash. Judged 

 by conditions in general feeding practice, the mash as used in September is a 

 better mash for continuous use than those used afterwards, and an increase in 

 the amount of hard grain given would be likely to give better average egg 

 production, though it might reduce the production of some of the heaviest 

 layers. This ration, even as modified, is a very heavy forcing ration. 



ONTARIO EXPERIMENT STATION RATIONS 



1 7. For chicks in indoor brooders. Dry mash of equal parts of bran, corn 

 meal, low-grade flour, and middlings, to which is added 5 per cent of beef 

 scrap and a teaspoonful of charcoal to the gallon of mash. Mixed grains 

 (cracked wheat, cracked corn, pinhead oatmeal), equal parts. Fed in alterna- 

 tion, five times a day until chicks are about three weeks old, then three times 

 a day until they are about six weeks old, after which they are hopper fed. The 

 chicks are given milk to drink as regularly as the supply permits. The milk 

 is considered especially valuable in starting the chicks. 



It will be noted that this is a simpler and much less concentrated ration 

 than those used at the Maine station. It should give, and apparently does 

 give, as good results with less risk and perhaps at a little less cost. Exact com- 

 parisons of such points for different rations used by different persons, for dif- 

 ferent stock, under different conditions are manifestly impossible. Observation 

 of the stock and information supplied incidentally in reports of various experi- 

 ments seem to the author to warrant the statements made as to value and cost. 



1 8. For chicks on range (either in brooders or with hens). Same as above, 

 but fed in hoppers from the start, with hulled oats and wheat substituted for 

 pinhead oatmeal and cracked wheat after the first few weeks. 



The range in this case is an exceptionally good one, orchards, cornfields, 

 and pastures being available on the college and station farm of over five hun- 

 dred acres. With good range and a mash not overloaded with heavy foods, 

 the hopper feeding of chicks has been practiced here for a number of years 

 without the occurrence of troubles commonly ascribed to overfeeding. Equally 

 good range conditions are found on any large farm and on many small farms. 

 With good range the beef scrap is not essential, but at this station it is sup- 

 plied, to make sure that there is no lack of animal food. 



19. Summer ration for fowls (yarded]. Dry mash, in hoppers; for old 

 hens, wheat bran; for pullets, equal parts bran, low-grade flour, and barley 

 chop or meal. Grain fed twice a day, wheat in the morning and wheat and 

 barley or corn in the evening, corn being used only when very cheap. 



20. Winter ration for fowls confined to the house. Dry mash as above. 

 Morning feed, whole wheat from six to eight inches deep in the litter ; about 

 noon, a little more wheat and whole mangels or clover hay; about 3.30 P.M., 

 wet mash of boiled vegetables, waste bread, and occasionally kitchen scraps 

 thickened with the same meals used in the dry mash, about 10 per cent beef 



