FEEDS AND FEEDING 55 



Although proteins and carbohydrates are the main 

 elements needed for the nourishment of fowls, there are 

 other essential elements. Most of these are present in the 

 foods that contain the proteins and carbohydrates, but there 

 are some few elements that niiist be supplied. Among these 

 are common salt (sodium chloride), which should be given 

 to fowls, as to other animals. Care should be taken in 

 regulating the amount, however, as too much salt proves 

 injurious. 



Other minerals, such as lime, the fowls get from gravel, 

 sand, ground oystershell, etc. These hard, sharp particles 

 serve two ]nirposes : they grind the food in the gizzard of 

 the fowl, as well as furnish minerals. It is always well to 

 remember in this connection that poultry do not grind their 

 food in their mouths, as most animals do, but in their giz- 

 zards. Accordingly, part of the food should be ground 

 before being fed to the fowl, as an aid to digestion. 



The following ration is good for laying hens. If the 

 fowls are allowed free range, however, the food they pick up 

 outside should be considered in feeding them. 



DRY MASH 



Corn meal • ■ ■ 100 lbs. Shorts 40 lbs. 



Ground oats 100 lbs. Beef scraps 20 lbs. 



Wheat bran 100 lbs. Fine salt ., 2 lbs. 



The o-rain fed wiih this ration should be composed of 



