214 COMMERCIAL POULTRY RAISING 



able feed for molting fowls. It is exceedingly laxative, however, 

 and because of this tendency it must be fed sparingly. Oil 

 meal contains about three times as much protein as wheat or 

 oats, and about five times the protein of rice. It is one of the 

 richest foods available for poultry, fairly reasonable in price, 

 and it should find a place in all mashes for mature stock; but 

 because of its concentrated nature, oil meal should not form over 

 five per cent of the ration. 



Old process oil meal, or O. P. cake meal, are other names given 

 to this product. In the old process of manufacturing linseed 

 oil the flaxseed is crushed and the oil extracted by great pressure. 

 In the newer methods the oil is dissolved by means of naptha. 

 The old process meal is best, because it contains more oil, which 

 stimulates the growth of feathers, and gives the plumage a glossy 

 appearance, so much desired by fanciers. When moist, oil meal 

 is very sticky, and this quality tends to thicken or gum the mash. 

 It is therefore objectionable in wet mashes. 



