FEEDING THE GROWING STOCK 87 



bone, charcoal and beef scraps. The latter must be 

 fresh and free from any musty odor. Much damage 

 has been done in growing flocks from the feeding of 

 poor dry beef scraps, and great care should be exer- 

 cised in purchasing this article. Charcoal is one of 

 the most important things to have about the poultry 

 yards, notwithstanding the claim of some poultry- 

 men, who say it is unnecessary when the fowls and 

 chicks are given the proper foods in the right pro- 

 portions. It keeps the gases down and assists diges- 

 tion, preventing many cases of bowel trouble, and 

 other diseases. My advice is to keep charcoal before 

 the birds at all times. 



Meat in some form must be fed to poultry, they 

 must have animal matter. Fowls running on free 

 range where insects are plentiful obtain a sufficient 

 supply of animal matter, but those kept in closer 

 quarters must be given this food in another form. 

 Finely chopped fresh meat is an excellent bone and 

 muscle builder for the young stock, but should not 

 be fed more often than two or three times a week. 

 Green bone cut freshly just before feeding, is equally 

 as beneficial but must also be fed with judgment as 

 to how much and how often. Meat foods assist 

 feather, bone, muscle and comb development, conse- 

 quently too much is very apt to cause too much forc- 

 ing along these lines. 



The poultryman who is careless in his purchases 

 is liable to get a supply of grains which are too fresh 



