THE FEEDS 337 



stems and also upon the way it is dried, tliiiu<;li conditions 

 governing the hitter are not well understood. 



Other alfalfa feeds, known as cliop])ed and shredded alfalfa, 

 are more easily examined and less liable to be of a poor grade 

 because of their coarser condition than alfalfa meal. Al- 

 though alfalfa feed contains a large percentage of nitrogen 

 compounds, it must be remembered that they are made from 

 alfalfa hay and not concentrates, and therefore shouhl not 

 be fed to excess because of their high crude fi!:)er content and 

 low availability. They may be used with good results up 

 to 20 per cent of the mash portion of the rati(jn, provided no 

 bran is used. The total amount of bran or alfalfa meal 

 should not exceed 23 per cent of (he niasli at any time. 



Alfalfa meal has the same composition as docs the best 

 quality of alfalfa hay. In protein content it is ahead of that 

 reported for bran or middlings, but the total food \'alue of 

 the latter is greater because they contain comparatively little 

 fiber (a\'erage 5 per cent) as compared witli alfalfa meal 

 (over 26 per cent). 



The average amounts of the nutrients found in lOU pounds 

 of alfalfa meal are 8.S ])onnds of water, 9 pounds of ash, 

 14.3 ])onnds of crude protein, 6,5.9 pounds of carbohydrates, 

 of which 30.1 jiounds are crude fiber, and 2 ixmnds are fat. 

 The ann)unts digestible for chickens are not known. Umler 

 certain not well-understood conditions it may ser\ e as a 

 source of both the vitamins. 



Barley (Ground). — "Barley meal, or ground barley, is an 

 excellent material to use in a mash, l)ut great care must be 

 taken in preparing it. It is necessary either to have the entire 

 grain evenly ground or sift it before using, or the hulls cause 

 trouble in the chicken's crop, especially when dry mash is 

 used. Care must be exercised in the sifting or a considerable 

 part of the nutritious bran will be discarded with the hulls, 

 causing unnecessary waste."' Where barley meal can be 

 purchased at a reasonable price it is an excellent addition 

 to a fattening ration as well as to a mash. 



i.Ja£fa, California Bulletin No. 164. 

 22 



