FEEDING 35 



must take into cnnsidpration and tiiat factor is the nutritive 

 ratio of Iccds. This ratio is the jiroyjortion of tlie protein to 

 tlic total iiitroKcn-free extract. We first find out liow much 

 protein oni' forimila sliows and it sliould lie around 14% to 15%. 

 IIa\'ing tins we calculate tlie total percentage of the constituents. 

 Next wo change the fat into nitrogen-free extract hy multiplying 

 the fat hy ZYi and adding the result to the nitrogen-free extract. 

 This total should be from four and one-half to five times the 

 total amount of protein to have a correct nutritive ratio. Thus 

 we sec that my first two formulae are all right and the last 

 one, while it carries the correct amount of protein and will 

 prove to be a good feeding formula, it is just a little shy in the 

 nutritive ratio. 



The breeder can easih- work out various formulae from the 

 above information that A\ill provide his birds with balanced 

 rations and a A\Jdo variety of feeds. 



Inasnuuii as pigeons have no teeth we must provide theni 

 with some sort of material which v\ill grind their food in the 

 rvi)]). This is taken care of by the use of health grit. This 

 grit is a composition of clean sharp sand, small shells, charcoal, 

 salt and sonu^ mineral matter, together with a tonic. It is 

 extremely essential to birds in confinement and should always 

 be in the lofts. The health grits that are most highly recom- 

 mended and those that we have used, are: 



BRAND MANUFACTUKBR ADDRESS 



Red Cro.s.s J. W. Williamson Co Crlassboro, N. J. 



Fousts George Foust Co Guilford, Conn. 



The following is a formula given to the writer several years 

 ago an<l A\iiich makes an exccdleut health grit mixture. 



Sifted Sand. SO pounds; Venetian Red, 8 ounces; Gentian Root, 6 

 ounces; Powdered Alum, 4 ounces; Table Salt, 6.5 pounds; Oyster Shells 

 (Chick size), 9 pounds; Charcoal, 3 pounds. 



In making up this mixture add just a little water while 

 mixing it. 



In addition to the healtli grit that is fed we would advise 

 a small container of charcoal in each loft as the charcoal can 

 do the birds no harm and is an excellent regulator. 



