THE FEEDS 333 



pounds of kafir are ll.S pounds of water, 1.7 pounds of ash, 

 11.1 pounds of crude protein, 7(1.1 pounds of carbohydrates, 

 of which 2.3 pounds are crude fiber and 3 pounds of fat. 

 The proportions digestible for poultry have not been defi- 

 nitely determined. 



Millet. — Millet is similar in composition to oats and is used 

 extensively as a cliick feed, but it contains too much fiber to 

 be a very economical feed. It is supposed to have a beneficial 

 action upon the kidneys. Probably because it glistens it 

 is one of tlie first grains tliat a newly hatched chick will 

 pick up. 



The amounts of digestible nutrients found in 100 jiounds of 

 millet as determined by digestion experiments with chickens 

 are G.S pounds of protein, 3 pounds of fat, and 01.59 pounds 

 of nitrogen-free extract. It contains 2.8 pounds of ash and 

 has a nutritive ratio of 1 to 10 for chickens. The crude 

 fiber content is S.l pounds. Having a comparatiA^ely large 

 germ it carries enough fat soluble A to support nearly normal 

 gi-f)wth. 



Oats. — The general nutritive value of whole oats for 

 poultry appears to be less than that for ruminants and horses. 

 This is because the crude fiber seems to be of insignificant 

 feeding value for domestic birds. Oats, including the hulls, 

 possess the largest amount of fiber and nearly the highest 

 of ash of all the cereals, while the percentage of fat runs 

 nearly as high as in corn. Hulled oats are similar to wheat 

 in composition, except that the fat content is higher. 



The relative amount of hull and kernel governs their 

 desirability for poultry feeding. Light oats have a poor 

 feeding value because of large per cent, of hull, which is 

 about as digestible as straw. Heavy, clean oats are relished 

 by chickens and add variety to the ration. 



Hulled oats seem to be especially adapted for growing 

 chicks because of their oil content and their stimulating 

 efi'ect on the nervous system. 



The amounts of digestible nutrients found in 100 pounds of 

 whole oats as determined by digestion experiments with 

 chickens are 8.1 pounds of protein, 4.2 pounds of fat, and 

 53.5 pounds of nitrogen-free extract. It contains 3.2 pounds 



