20 



l^alanced ration as possible, if we wish to be economical and 

 keep the hen in the best condition. 



A mixture of equal parts by weight of corn, wheat and oats 

 has a nutritive ratio of about 1 to 8V2- In order, therefore, 

 to provide a balanced ration, we must feed something in addi- 

 tion to these grains that has a much larger percentage of 

 protein. We have, therefore, adopted what we term the mash, 

 a mixture of ground grains and by-products. By feeding such 

 a mash, with a nutritive ratio of 1 to 2.3 to 1 to 3.6, together 

 with about an equal amount of scratch feed, we place before 

 the hen materials from which she can balance her own ration. 



Table 13. — Poultry Mashes. 



We have in the above chart three different formuhie for 

 poultry mashes, with some difference in their nutritive ratios, 

 but all three well adapted to be fed with mixed grains. The 

 last, or ]^o. 3, is the richest in protein, its nutritive ratio being 

 about 1 to 2.3. 



Table 14. — Scratch Feed Mixtures. 



If you have barley or buckwheat, you can add 50 pounds 

 of either, or 50 ])ounds of both, to any one of the above grain 

 mixtures. The exact composition of a scratch feed should 

 depend entirely upon the relative cost of the grains and the 

 ease Avith which thev can be obtained. As alreadv noted, Imw- 



