50 999 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 



QUESTION What is meant by "balanced ration"? 



ANSWER In this sense the word balanced means properly pro- 

 portioned as regards the value of the food in question, for specific 

 purposes, and ration means a supply of food. A balanced ration is 

 an allowance of food which is so mixed and proportioned as to pro- 

 duce the maximum of food value and a minimum amount of waste. 



QUESTION What is the object in feeding a balanced ration? 



ANSWER A surplus of any food stuff, fed to a fowl over and 

 above the amount which is digestible and convertible to its needs is 

 a waste of food and injury to the fowl. A balanced ration is best 

 from the standpoint of financial economy and for the purpose of get- 

 ting the best results as regards the quantity and quality of the product 

 of the fowl. 



QUESTION What is best for grit and what are its uses ? 



ANSWER Good grit should consist of a hard, flinty substance in 

 irregular shaped particles with sharp edges or corners. For adult 

 fowls the particles should be about the size of a pea or small bean. 

 Round or smooth objects are worthless. Crushed stone, gravel or 

 broken chinaware is serviceable. Broken glass is sometimes used, 

 but is not suitable, chiefly on account of possible injury from cut- 

 ting the fowl internally. Mica Crystal grit, usually obtainable from 

 any supply dealer, is a most excellent article. A plentiful supply 

 of good grit should always be within reach of fowls. It is necessary 

 in aiding the action of the gizzard in grinding- the food preparatory 

 to digestion, and the lack of it is the foundation of many fatal ail- 

 ments. 



QUESTION Which foods are the greatest fat producers ? 



ANSWER Corn and its by-products are the chief fattening 

 foods in the grain list. Buckwheat may be included. Ground or 

 broken rice is fattening and potatoes and other starchy vegetables are 

 useful for the purpose. Milk is more or less fattening, and espe- 

 cially when sweetened. 



QUESTION How should sunflower seed be fed ? 



ANSWER About a pint each day to 15 fowls. It is chiefly of 

 use during the molting period. It is oily in composition and aids in 

 the dropping of the old plumage and the introduction of the new. 



QUESTION Are infertile eggs tested out of the incubator a good 

 food for chicks ? 



ANSWER Eggs fed to chicks should be hard boiled an-.l those 

 mentioned are as good as any. They should not be given as an ex- 

 clusive diet. 



