THE COMI'UUNDIM! OF RATIONS 363 



protein, and of bone, which is largely ash. Both are so 

 important from tlie stand-point of growth that tliey are 

 frequently referred to as "the growing nutrients." 



As will be noted in Table XXXV, of the dry matter of the 

 hen's body, about one-half is protein and 8 per cent is ash. 

 As W. P. Wheeler' suggests: "This of itself would suggest 

 that a slow growth must follow the use of feeds containing 

 small amounts of nitrogenous and mineral matter." The 

 proper development of the bony skeleton of the chick is 

 dependent upon an adequate supply of ash. If this supply 

 is stinted, the chicks quickly show signs of stunting, which 

 can never be entirely overcome. 



Wheeler finds that the "requirements of rapidly growing 

 young fowls are so constantly changing that a satisfactory 

 average ration for any extended period cannot be formulated. 

 In the following statement of rations for chicks they are 

 averaged for periods of two weeks at different ages during the 

 time of most rapid grow^th. The ration for the last period will 

 suffice for several weeks longer, although the amount required 

 per 100 pounds live weight will gradually diminish up to 

 maturity." 



Table XL. — Digestible Notbients Requibbd per Day for Each 

 100 Pounds Live Weight of Growing Chicks. 



From 10 to 12 weeks 5.4 0.4 1.0 3.7 0.3 1 to 4.4 



"As an example of a day's ration which would correspond 

 to the requirements of the standard given for young chicks 

 during the second week, the following is stated: P^our pounds 

 of cracked wheat, 2 pounds of granulated oat meal, 3 pounds 

 of corn meal, J pound each of wheat middlings, buckwheat 

 middlings, ground oats and old-process linseed meal, 2| 

 pounds of animal meal, and 2| pounds of young green alfalfa. 



' Jord^uj's Feeding of Animals. 



