CHAPTER IX. 

 THE COMPOUNDING OF RATIONS. 



Definition of a Ration. — Teelmically, a ration is the feed 

 cousimicil ]>}' a given number of hirds in a specified time. 

 Tlie formula of a ration should include a statement of the 

 kinds, ])roportions, and amounts of feeds included, the time 

 l)einn; assumed to be twenty-four hours unless otherwise 

 stated. In poultry feeding practice, the amount is so largely 

 governed from day to day by the judgment of the feeder, 

 based on the changing requirements of the birds themseh'es, 

 that it is not customary to specify the amount to be fed in a 

 given time, and a statement of the kinds and proportions of 

 constituents fed, without regard to the amount, is referred to 

 as a ration. 



A Balanced Ration. — A balanced ration is a combination of 

 feeds furnishing the A'itaniins, and the several nutrients in 

 such ])ro])ortion, auHumt, and form as will, without excess of 

 any nutrient, ])r(>pcrK' nourish a gi\en group of birds for a 

 spccitic tone.' 



FEEDING STANDARDS. 



A feeding standard is a statement of the exact quantities 

 and proportions of all the digestible nutrients necessary 

 for a ration that is to serve a particular purpose. It differs 

 from a balanced ration in that it docs not specify the amount 

 or kinds of feeil from which the nutrients shall be secured 

 and thus takes no account of the ^■itamins. Iia\-ing a feeding 

 standard as a basis from whicli to work and a knowledge of 

 tlie fcedstulfs a\ailal)le, inchnliug not only the amounts of 

 the digcstililc nutrients contained but their nutriti\e eilcct 



• Adapted from Henry and Morrison. Feeds .iiid Feeding. 



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