182 PRINCIPLES OF POULTRY FEEDING 
must be present to aid in crushing and wearing the feed into fine 
particles. The harder and sharper the grit the better, and it 
should be kept always before the birds. Digestion does not take 
place until the feed is ground in the gizzard, and when new, 
sharp grit is not present the feed must remain unground in the 
gizzard until it becomes soft and falls to pieces; this process is 
slow and results in imperfect digestion. 
Stimulating Feeds.—The use of condimental or stimulating 
feeds, such as the so-called “‘ stock feeds,” ‘ poultry panaceas,”’ 
and “‘ egg feeds,” should not be permitted except when birds seem 
to be lacking in appetite and it is desired to increase the palata- 
bility of their ration; and such use should be stopped as soon as the 
birds recover. It is a very bad practice to feed forcing and con- 
dition powders to strong, healthy birds. The habitual use of such 
stimulants in the ration causes the individual to become immune 
to the good effect which they may at first seem to have on the 
system. Their action on a healthy bird is very similar to that of 
alcohol on the human system; for a short time there is an excessive 
stimulation, but the after effects are depressing because of the 
tendency to break down or unnecessarily wear out the tissue. The 
use of these stimulating substances should be discouraged. Their 
actual value as nourishment is usually only a small fraction of 
their cost, and their value for promoting palatability is not equal 
to that of common salt, which may be safely added occasionally 
for this purpose in the proportion of about one ounce of salt to 
twenty-five pounds of dry feed. 
REVIEW. 
. Compare poultry with other farm animals. 
. Compare a hen with a cow as a transformer of raw materials. 
. What is the temperature of a fowl’s body, and how does it affect the feed 
requirements? 
. Give the composition of a fowl’s body. 
. Discuss the following components in detail: (a) Water, (b) ash, (c) pro- 
tein, (d) fat. 
. Define nutrition; nutrient. 
. Name three important nutrients and give their general composition. 
. Give the uses of the following nutrients in the body: (a) Protein, (b) car- 
bohydrates, and (c) fat. 
9. Discuss digestibility of feeding stuffs. 
10. Name and discuss the three objects of feeding. 
11. Compare maintenance requirements of the capon and the hen. 
12. Discuss requirements for growth. 
oe WwWNnre 
CONT 
