56 



CHICK BOOK 



every day. Sometimes we may substitute buckwheat for 

 wheat or corn, at other times barley, etc., etc. Occasionally 

 we fed a mash in which we use considerable bran. This 

 will assist in keeping the daily ration narrow even though 

 we may feel it wise to give a feed of peas or barley or an 

 extra supply or corn (these grains containing large propor- 

 tions of carbohydrates and fat). 



With the example and analysis of foods here given there 

 will be no difi&culty forming a ration from such foods as are 

 plentiful. Prices vary, as we have said, and the variation 

 should be accepted as a hint to change the food. The fowls 

 will not object. 



During the month immediately preceding a show the 

 birds may be fed as suggested for late hatched chickens, 

 but unless they are under weight there will be no necessity 

 for feeding them after the usual evening meal, which is 

 given before sundown. 



Fprcing Late Hatched Chicks for Show , 



Both the fancier and the breeder of poultry for market 

 are well on the way to successful feeding when they have 

 realized that different foods produce different conditions and ■ 

 have decided to select such foods as will aid them in secur- 

 ing the condition desired. It is clear that a change of food 

 is necessary when the chick merges from its babyhood, takes 

 on a new suit of feathers and becomes a full-fledged young- 

 ster. Every poultryman we believe sees the necessity for a 

 change of food at that period, but the majority are governed 

 simply by the knowledge that the chicken is then equipped 

 with better means of digestion and can do with less icostly 

 and more bulky food. True it is that in most cases the 

 breeder desires rapid growth and generally provides, or at 

 least intends to provide, that which will induce it. Is it not 

 in addition necessary to consider what requirement the fowl 

 is intended to fulfill? Take the exhibitor, for instance. His 

 fowls are destined for the show room, yet this does not mean 

 that they shall all be fed alike or in equal quantities. Some 

 must be prepared for the early fall and winter shows; others 

 for the later winter shows. If the exhibitor is blessed with 

 incubators to hatch early chicks, brooders to accommodate 

 them, and experience that enables him to carry them health- 

 ily through the early spring when conditions are unnatural, 

 then indeed he will feed his fall exhibits as he will his later 

 show birds, because there is little or no necessity for forcing 

 them; but if his chicks are late hatched, he must adopt heroic 

 measures to "bring them along" if he would gain a place 

 among the successful exhibitors. These late hatched, forced 

 youngsters seldom attain the size of those which are fed for 

 growth and vigor and allowed to develop size before putting 

 on the gloss and finish for the show room. 



What method of feeding is practiced to hurry these 

 young candidates along? 



A ration composed of animal matter supplemented by 

 fat forming foods; and during the closing stage the addition 

 of foods known to contain considerable oil. The first is in- 

 tended to hasten maturity; the second to put on weight, and 

 the third to put on the finishing touches — the gloss to the 

 feathers! Bulky vegetable food is added to keep the diges- 

 tive organs in good working order, and frequently condi- 

 ments are given to coax the fowl to eat more and more of 

 the concentrated food. Frequent change of food is neces- 

 sary so that the fowl shall not go "off its feed." Few foods 

 are too expensive to be procured at this season, for winning 

 in the fall means sales for the winter shows. 



In the days when the writer was exhibiting — where the 

 winters stole well into the spring and the big fall show 

 seemed to advance to meet the summer — the principal event 

 being held in August — many were the rations tried, and 

 .feeding sometimes extended well into the evening hours. 

 ""Little and often" was found to be a good motto, and only 



at the last meal (about 9 p. m.) were the fowls coaxed to eat 

 more than they wanted, then they got the tempting tit-bits 

 which had been saved for the last moment — scraps of meat 

 green cut bone, bits of bread, oatmeal porridge (well sugared), 

 cooked rice, cooked potatoes-^fed by lamplight. 



Result: Winners at the fall shows; delicate birds 

 later on. 



These fowls were not allowed extensive range. They 

 were confined in yards about eight by fifty feet, in flocks of 

 eight -or ten. Their roosting pens were kept scrupulously 

 clean; wooden floors well sprinkled with sand every week, 

 and droppings raked every day. They were confined to 

 the house during inclement weather. 



Tame? Sure! A little training in good sized coops 

 built upon the walls above the roosts — handling every day — 

 induced a confidence in their attendants that made all the 

 difference during show week. 



The daily food during these forcing days consisted of 

 mash early in the morning (a small amount), wheat, oats or 

 barley or buckwheat in litter at about ten a. m. and two 

 p. m. and corn at six p. m. Sunflower seeds were frequently 

 given in place of the barley, wheat or oats, and during the 

 two weeks preceding the show, hemp seed was provided, or 

 linseed meal mixed with the mash. Cabbage was hung in 

 the pens continually; grit of course always before them — 

 sometimes put in their mash; and they had all the milk they 

 could drink. 



We are enabled to present analyses of foods that have 

 been made by experiment stations throughout the coimtry. 

 First it must be understood that analyses differ slightly be- 

 cause the foods analyzed differ in composition. It would be 

 extremely diflicult to procure two samples of wheat that 

 contain exactly equal proportions of protein, carbohydrates 

 andvfat; similarly with regard to other vegetable formation. 

 This applies also to animal matter. The quantities given 

 therefore are usually average quantities, yet are sufficiently 

 exact for' practical purposes. 



Proportion of Protein and Carbohydrates and Fat in Foods 

 Used by Poultrymen 



(Parentheses are used where 

 the digestibility is estimated 

 from that of other similar feed- 

 ing stuffs). 



GRAINS 



Wheat— 



Com- 



Oats 



Barley 



Buckwheat 



Rye ., 



Peas 



Sorghum Seed 



BRANS, MIDDHNGS AND MEALS 



Bran (wheat) 



Bran (rye). 



Middlings (wheat) 



Middlings (buckwheat) 



Shorts (wheat) 



Corn Meal 



CoTn and (Dob Meal 



Barley Meal 



Pea Meal 



Linseed Meal 



Cotton Seed Meal 



MANUFACTURED FEEDS 



Gluten Feed 



Gluten Meal 



Hominy Chop 



Brewers' Grams (dried) 



Brewers' Grains (wet) 



Malt Sprouts 



BULKY VEGETABLE FOODS 



Potatoes 



Carrots. 



Beets (Sugar) 



Mangel-Wurzels 



Rutabagas.- 



Turnips 



Red CSlover 



Alfalfa 



DAIRY PRODUCTS 



Buttermilk 



Milk 



Skim Milk 



Whey 



Digestible Matter in One Pound. 



Hbs£ 



pPSc 



.082 

 .127 

 .095 

 .070 



.028 

 .031 

 .035 

 .008 





(.700) 

 .784 

 .532 

 .962 



(.548) 



(.703) 

 .535 



(.668) 



.454 

 (.488) 

 .609 

 (.505) 

 .586 

 .711 

 .665 

 .668 

 .531 

 .449 

 .437 



.633 

 .725 

 (.795) 

 .471 

 .128 

 .403 



.157 

 (.089) 

 .109 

 .054 

 .085 

 .077 

 (.153) 

 .430 



.050 

 .137 

 .057 

 .059 



.775 

 .854 

 .624 

 779 

 (.626) 

 (.767) 

 .723 

 (.722) 



.574 

 (.603) 

 .737 

 (.742) 

 .708 

 .766 

 .709 

 .762 

 .699 

 .738 

 .809 



.827 

 1.048 

 (.866) 

 .639 

 .171 

 .589 



.166 

 (.098) 

 .125 

 .065 

 .095 ( 

 .087 

 (.181) 

 .534 



.078 

 .168 

 .092 

 .067 





(1:9.3) 



1:11.2 



1:5.8 



1:8.0 

 (1:7.0) 

 (1:11.0) 



1:2.8 

 (1:13.3) 



1:3.8 

 (1:4.2) 



1:4.8 

 (1:2.1 



1:4.8 



1:12.9 



1:15.1 



1:9.3 



1:3.2 



1:1.6 



1:1.2 



1:3.3 

 1:2.2 

 (1:11.2) 

 1:2.8 

 1:3.0 

 1:2.2 



1:17.4 

 1:9.9 

 1:6.8 

 1:4.9 

 1:8.5 

 1:7.7 

 (1:5.5) 

 1:4.1 



1:1.8 

 1:4.4 

 1:1.6 

 1:7.4 



