POULTRY FOR PROFIT 85 



Variety is the main object and purpose of all ra- 

 tions. The hen will very likely pick through the 

 mash that is set before her and select the ingredients 

 she likes best, but at least she has been able to get 

 them. It would probably be just as well to set hop- 

 pers containing bran, corn meal, beef scrap, etc., each 

 by itself, so that the hen may balance her ration to 

 suit herself, but this is not quite as convenient as 

 mixing them, and feeders still have an idea they can 

 make Biddy eat what they please and not what she 

 pleases. 



Grains 



Wheat is the best single grain and is so nearly a 

 balanced ration in itself that fowls will thrive on a 

 diet of wheat alone for a long time. Its nutritive 

 ratio of 1 :6.5 or less brings it quite near the nutritive 

 ratio of 1 :5, which is considered best for fowls in 

 California, and its lack of husk renders it very pal- 

 atable to the fowl. The only objection to wheat is 

 its cost, which is so great that other grains must be 

 used with it. 



Corn is used more than wheat in the East, but is 

 too heating for this climate save when used in great 

 moderation or for young or market stock. A little 

 corn may be part of the grain ration for the Mediter- 

 ranean breeds, but it is better left out of the ration 

 of the heavy breeds. Corn meal is used in all mashes 

 in winter. 



Oats, with a nutritive ratio of 1 :6.2, are nearer the 

 perfect feed than wheat in theory, and not as fatten- 

 ing, but in practice the hulls are an objection. It is 

 difficult on this coast too to get the large white oats 

 which are recommended by English feeders, and 

 those we do get are best fed sprouted. Rolled and 



