FEEDS FOR POULTRY 401 



Meal from these protein-rich seeds may be used as part of the mash 

 to balance the ration. 



III. Succulent Feeds and Roughages 



Mangels. — For winter feeding, mangels are one of the best succulent 

 feeds, due to the ease of growth and large yield, and to the fact that 

 they keep well during the winter. A good method of feeding is to 

 split the beets lengthwise and stick the halves on nails driven in the 

 walls of the pen, about 18 inches from the floor, and then allow the 

 fowls to pick at them. 



Cabbage. — Cabbage is highly relished by poultry and is probably the 

 best green feed for fall and early winter use. Experiments at the 

 Wisconsin Station A seem to give cabbage first place among the green 

 feeds, especially while the hens are moulting. The cabbage should 

 be fastened to a wire clamp on a string suspended from the ceiling, 

 and should be about 18 inches above the floor, so that the birds may 

 reach it easily. 



Sprouted oats. — The sprouting of oats to furnish succulent feed 

 during the winter is increasing in popularity among poultrymen. 

 Tho oats may be sprouted in several ways, the following is the 

 method usually employed: The oats are placed in a pail or tub, 

 which is filled with water at a temperature of not over 100° F., to 

 which are added 10 drops of formalin for each 10 quarts. 2 The oats 

 are allowed to soak over night in a warm room and next morning they 

 are spread to a depth of one inch on a tray. This is commonly placed 

 in a rack, made to hold at least 7 trays. The oats are kept in a 

 room in which the temperature is not lower than 60° F., and are 

 sprinkled with warm water once or twice a day. In 7 to 10 days the 

 top sprouts will be 2 to 3 inches long and the oats ready for use. 

 They are usually fed in broad, flat troughs, no more being given than 

 the birds will clean up within half an hour. 



Other succulent feeds for winter. — Sugar beets are satisfactory for 

 poultry but are usually more expensive per pound of dry matter 

 contained than are mangels. Turnips and rutabagas may be fed to 

 poultry but should be used in moderation or they will impart a bad 

 flavor to* the eggs. They are especially suited for fall feeding, as 

 they do not keep as well as mangels. 



Silage of good quality may be fed to poultry with good results, but 

 nearly all poultrymen prefer some other form of succulence. In feed- 

 ing corn silage care should be taken to choose the leafy part rather 



i Halpin, Information to the authors. 



2 Lewis, Productive Poultry Husbandry, 1914, p. 189. 



