CHAPTER XXXI 



GENERAL FEEDING 



IT is a well known fact that up to the last few years 

 most farmers fed their flocks on an exclusive corn 

 diet, but since many of the farmers have added 

 wheat and oats to the daily ration there has been 

 noted a substantial improvement in the egg yield of 

 farm flocks. This fact is borne out by government 

 reports on the subject. 



Fowls properly housed should be fed in the ratio 

 of one part protein or muscle producing compound 

 to four parts of carbohydrates or heat and fat pro- 

 ducing compounds. 



A mixed ration is preferable, but where one single 

 grain is to be fed oats without a doubt comes 

 nearest being the ideal food. Wheat is much prefer- 

 able to corn. In feeding oats it is best to feed that 

 from which the hull has been removed. A little 

 buckwheat is all right, but if fed too heavily it will 

 produce a light colored yolk in the eggs. 



Fowls do much better on a mixed ration, and 

 although this mixed ration may contain the same 

 nutritive ratio, nevertheless the results obtained are 

 better. They seem to relish their meals more when 

 a variety of grains is fed, and a larger percentage 

 of the whole ration is digested. 



