POPULARITY OF CORN 



197 



wheat is slightly more palatable, but it has been shown that 

 shrunken wheat, caused by frost or drought, contains a higher 

 percentage of protein, therefore it is more economical as a stock 

 feed. Frequently the poorer grades of wheat, which are not 

 suitable for the best grades of flour, can be had at prices which 

 are so low that they are cheaper than corn and oats. 



Musty, smutty and heated wheat should be carefully avoided, 

 no matter how cheap they can be bought, because of the in- 

 jurious effect they may have on the fowls' digestion. There is no 

 objection to wheat 

 screenings, however, 

 which constitute the 

 refuse or "screen- 

 ings" from the bet- 

 ter grades of wheat. 

 The feeding value of 

 screenings depends 

 upon quality, and 

 quality varies in each 

 purchase. Screen- 

 ings contain broken 

 and shrunken wheat 

 kernels, weed seeds, 

 chaff and often con- 

 siderable harmless 

 trash. If the price 

 is low enough, screenings can be fed to an advantage. The point 

 to consider is the price and quality of the screenings in relation 

 to the price of sound feeding wheat. 



Com and its products are the principal sources of grain feed 

 for poultry. It is the best relished of all the grains, it is easily 

 digested, contains no poisonous substances, and except that it is 

 too concentrated when fed alone, too fattening, it is an ideal 

 ration. Corn has many advantages; it is attractive looking, 

 free from shuck or husk, it is easily swallowed, and contains large 

 amounts of oil and sugar which give it flavor and ease of diges- 



{Courtesy Wisconsin Experiment Station) 



Fig. 131. — Fowls seldom derive sufficient exer- 

 cise unless there are opportunities and incentives 

 for scratching. 



