180 PRINCIPLES OF POULTRY FEEDING 
Wheat and its by-products constitute one of the best groups 
of feed stuffs for poultry. Oats when clipped are relished by birds 
and make an economical grain ration. Barley is also a good grain 
to feed. Buckwheat is rather fattening and usually expensive, so 
it is best given during the winter and at the evening feeding. Peas 
are generally expensive; but, being rich in protein and much 
relished by the birds, they are very desirable when their cost is 
not too great. 
Need of Variety in the Ration.—Animals as well as people tire 
of a steady diet. A variety in the ration increases the palatability, 
and, by adding relish, enhances its digestibility. Variety in the 
ration allows the birds, if they have a preference, to select the grains 
which they desire, and those are usually the ones which they most 
need. Variety can be supplied both in the grain ration and in the 
dry mash. When changes are made, they should be gradual, 
allowing birds to become accustomed to them slowly. 
Necessity of Fresh Water.—lIt will be remembered that more 
than 65 per cent of the egg and 55 per cent of the bird’s body are 
water (Table V); hence the necessity of keeping an abundant 
supply before the laying hens and the growing birds at all times, 
in addition to what they secure from grains and succulent feeds. 
During heavy laying a flock of 100 hens will drink approximately 
10 to 15 quarts of water each day, depending upon the size of the 
birds and the season of the year. 
Relation of Fat to Laying Condition.—Hens with an excessive 
amount of body fat, due to lack of exercise and the use of fattening 
feeds, are not in good laying condition, and the egg yield will 
invariably be retarded. It has, however, been proved by experi- 
ment that some surplus fat on the body is essential. A fat hen 
has some surplus energy, but a lean hen requires all the feed she 
can digest to maintain and build up body weight and cannot use 
any for production. The laying hen requires considerable fat 
in the manufacture of the yolk, which contains about 60 per 
cent of fat. 
Value of Exercise—In order to keep her body warm and in 
proper health, a hen should be compelled to hunt or exercise for 
the grains which she receives. It is the usual habit of these birds, 
even little chicks from the time of hatching, to scratch in search 
of feed. Exercise increases the circulation and enhances vitality. 
It is true that exercise takes energy, and all energy must be pro- 
duced from feed; yet the increased amount of feed is amply paid 
