FEEDING PRACTICES AND APPLIANCES 391 



(see page 384), by increasing tiie proportion of ground 

 feed. Tlie chicks must be watched carefully for any indica- 

 tion of digestive disorders which sometimes arise wlien the 

 jjroportion of protein or of mash is made too great. If 

 ])ossible tlie increase in protein should be brought about by 

 adding cottage cheese to the ration rather than by increasing 

 the meat scraps. By doing this the ration may be made 

 narrower without upsetting the digestion, than may usually 

 be done with the aid of meat scraps. 



During the fattening period the method and rations 

 described under milk feeding may be used (see page 401). 

 The fattening period for broilers is usually not longer than 

 twelve days and is frequently limited to eight. The time 

 of feeding depends somewhat upon how long the chicks 

 "stand up" to the fattening ration without losing their appetite. 



Where the broilers are not intended for private trade 

 they should not be milk-fed but penned up and corn-fed 

 for a period of two to three weeks. They will then be in 

 good shape for the milk feeding at the packing house. 



Developing Pullets. — It is not a wise practice to force 

 pullets intended for egg production or breeding. In order 

 to have them mature for winter laying they should be 

 hatched early enough to allow them to reach their proper 

 development normally and without forcing. 



Any deviation from normal development tends to lessen 

 vitality and reproductive powers. If a pullet is to stand 

 up under the strain of being forced for heavy egg production 

 after she begins to lay, or to produce vigorous offspring 

 if she is a breeder, she should have the benefit of a normal 

 development prior to that time. Mairs' found that chicks 

 forced when young did not make as rapid growth as they 

 approached maturity as those fed a more moderate ration. 



When the cockerels are taken out for forcing and finishing, 

 the pullets should be moved to a grassy range where they 

 can develop unmolested by male birds. The ration should 

 be one to promote health, and calculated to produce sub- 

 stantial growth rather than particularly quick growtli. 



' Peiiiisylvuuia Bulleliu No. S7. 



