FEEDING OF FOWLS 57 



FEEDING OF FOWLS 



In poultry feeding it is necessary not only to provide 

 fowls with a ration properly balanced in the food 

 elements, but the ration must also be of a character 

 most suitable to -the digestive organs of the fowls. 

 In addition to this the fowls must be forced to take 

 sufficient exercise so that their bodily functions will 

 demand a plentiful supply of food, be in a condition 

 to secure the best results from the food that is eaten, 

 and be able to eliminate readily all waste materials. 



When fowls take sufficient exercise, the only secret of 

 keeping their digestive organs in the best condition will 

 be found in feeding them a plentiful supply of coarse 

 feed like bran, or some of the succulent green foods, 

 such as cut clover, cut grasses, vegetables, or fruits. 

 These foods will distend the intestines and aid in dis- 

 tributing the concentrated foods that are necessary 

 for upbuilding the tissues of the body and for egg 

 production. To induce fowls to take considerable 

 exercise, a certain part of their grain food should be 

 scattered in the litter of the houses and on the ground 

 of the ranges so that they will be compelled to scratch 

 to get it. 



When kept actively exercising, fowls will not eat more 

 than their digestive organs will be able to handle 

 easily, provided fattening foods are not fed in excess 

 and the ration is well balanced for egg production. 



Despite the necessity of a certain quantity of coarse 

 food to regulate their digestive organs, fowls must be 

 fed as little indigestible matter as is consistent with the 

 maintenance of their health and of a well-balanced 

 ration. For instance, hens cannot thrive on a ration 

 made up entirely of even the best grade of oats, and 

 when oats are fed that are three-fourths husks, all the 

 hens can possibly stuff themselves with will do little 

 more than barely sustain life and will produce but 

 few eggs. Chick feed and feed for full-grown fowls 



