192 COMMERCIAL POULTRY RAISING 



both animal and vegetable protein for best results, though chemic- 

 ally there is very little difference between the two kinds. 



Most of the ash elements are found in sufficient quantities in 

 the ordinary poultry feeds, except lime, which should be fur- 

 nished in the form of oyster shells for laying hens, and in granu- 

 lated bone for growing stock. Bran and alfalfa are both rich 

 in ash, hence they are valuable feeds for chickens. 



Wheat is the most efficient single feed for poultry, because it 

 furnishes the nearest thing to a perfectly balanced ration. When 

 fed in conjunction with corn and oats as a scratch feed, supple- 

 mented by a mash consisting of various meals, including a meat 

 ingredient, properly compounded, wheat produces the best re- 

 sults at the least cost. When fed by itself corn is too fattening. 

 Oats is a fattening feed, too, in addition to which it has a high per- 

 centage of fiber in the hulls, which is objectionable when fed in 

 large quantities. Hulled oats or oatmeal, without this fiber, 

 makes a splendid feed for young chicks. 



