FOODS AND FEEDING 
any great extent, because it is a hardship on the 
fowls and is more expensive than to furnish the 
needed carbonaceous food. 
The most satisfactory ration for laying hens is 
generally regarded as 1 :6; that is, one part of 
protein to six parts of carbohydrates. Many au- 
thorities consider this too wide a ration, but much 
depends upon individual conditions and circum- 
stances—the breed, the physical condition of the 
fowls, the time of year, etc. With large, sluggish 
breeds a narrower ration might give the better 
satisfaction, say, for instance, 1 :4%4o0r1:5. Of 
course the proportion should be kept as nearly cor- 
rect as possible, but a slight difference one way or 
the other is not such a vital matter, because fowls 
seem to have the ability to adapt different feeds 
to their own present demands and requirements. 
The smaller and more active the fowl the wider 
the ration that can safely be fed to it, because it 
will the more rapidly use up the surplus carbon, 
inasmuch as they have more energy to maintain. 
All fowls need a wider ration in cold weather than 
in warm or hot weather, because more is needed at 
that time in order to maintain their bodily heat. 
Growing stock require a wider ration than mature 
birds, and stock to be fattened require a wider 
ration than laying or breeding stock. 
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