FEEDING AND FEEDS 121 



must be used to balance it. Those states which 

 produce the largest quantities of corn are the 

 greatest producers of poultry and eggs, a fact which 

 seems to disprove the notion that corn is not good 

 for poultry. 



Oats are not relished by fowls as much as other 

 grains, nor are they worth as much as corn or wheat. 

 The large proportion of hull is an objection since 

 hulls are largely indigestible. Without the hulls 

 oats would be excellent both for laying and fatten- 

 ing. They are not as fattening as corn or wheat 

 and many poultrymen feed them, largely to pre- 

 vent hens becoming too fat. Great care should be 

 used in selecting oats because of the quality. None 

 but heavy, plump oats should be used. Light oats 

 contain too much hull. Oats furnish a useful variety 

 to the ration. Were hulled oats, procurable at 

 reasonable prices, they would probably be better 

 than wheat or corn. 



Barley is fed to poultry to a very limited 

 extent. Fowls will usually leave it if they can 

 secure wheat or corn. It may be fed for variety. 

 Peas, where they can be secured at reasonable 

 prices, should be fed extensively because of their 

 richness in protein. They contain twice as much 

 protein as corn and therefore are worth more pound 

 for pound. Where linseed meal can be secured at 

 reasonable prices, it may be profitably fed to poultry 

 because it contains more than 30% protein and is 

 also rich in fat. On this account it is an excellent 

 addition to mash feeds, but must be fed sparingly. 



IMPORTANCE OF ANIMAL FEEDS 



It is believed that animal food of some sort is 

 necessary to maintain fowls in vigorous health and 



