POUL TRIY-CRAFT. 93 
of fowls in confinement (comfortable quarters, with exercise) ; may be given 
as a light morning feed to fowls on a good range. For sitting hens and 
for ordinary fattening, it may be an exclusive food. 
CrackEep Corn —if fed in litter, can be used much more freely and 
generally than whole corn, though corn that has been long cracked contains 
proportionately more carbon than whole corn.* Unless it is sifted before 
using there is some waste of the finer particles, which should be sifted out 
and thrown in with the meal. Fed with moderate exercise compulsory, 
cracked corn is under some conditions as good an egg producer as wheat — 
and much cheaper. When an abundance of carbon is needed, it is a better 
food than either wheat or barley. It may be the only food fed to growing 
chicks on a range where insects and green food are abundant. Such a diet 
is not the best, but will do when more varied diet cannot be obtained, or 
would be unprofitable. 
Corn MEAL — (coarse, unbolted), forms generally one-fourth to one-half 
of the millstuffs used in a mash. For young chicks it is often used in much 
more generous proportion. Under similar circumstances it may be given 
moistened, uncooked, or scalded, half-cooked, as freely as cracked corn. As 
well baked johnnycake, it is often made the principal part of a ration for 
chicks however situated. 
Corn Cuop — is finer than cracked corn, coarser than corn meal, and may 
be used in place of either. 
Corn and Cop MreaL —contains more indigestible matter than the other 
straight corn products, but still has digestible elements in nearly the same 
proportions. Cooked with clover or alfalfa, it makes an excellent mash for 
cold weather. 
Mixtures.— The most common commercial mixtures, composed largely 
of corn, are Mixed Chop, corn and oats equal parts, ground; and ‘* Prov- 
ender,” a mixture of corn, oats and bran. 
116. Wheat.—Wueat Screenincs, DAMAGED WHEAT. Wheat is 
rated the best single grain for poultry. Principally in connection with the 
use of wheat has arisen a question of the relative values of sound and 
damaged grains as poultry food. Wheat being a staple of human food, 
the price of good wheat usually rules high as compared with other grains — 
especially corn, the only other grain of which fowls are fond as of wheat. 
Wheat of fair quality, broken (good) wheat, and good wheat screenings, are 
as good poultry food as the very finest milling wheats. No ordinary test will 
find them inferior, Poor wheat and dirty screenings can be fed to advantage 
only when bought very cheap. Wheat damaged by fire or water can also be 
fed to advantage, if not so much damaged that well conditioned fowls refuse 
it, and if the price is right. In buying such goods, it is a safe rule to buy 
* NoTE.— Many poultrymen crack corn as needed, thus getting its full food value. 
