58 THE CHICK BOOK 



By the time the chickens have been fed this way for be composed of the following each day: One feed of oats, 



another week we reduce the proportion of beef scraps to one feed of wheat and one of meat or cut bone and corn. 



one-half, which, in connection with cracked wheat, gives Por the purpose of forming the ration we will take one 



us a nutritive ratio of 1:3.2. This is a very satisfactory pound of each with exception of meat and corn, of which we 



ration until the chickens are three weeks old. give half pound each. More or less than these quantities 



As far back as we can remember we have known eggs may be used, depending upon the number of fowls to be fed, 



and bread crumbs to be a first food for cage birds and for but the proportion will be the same. 



chickis, and now having examined the composition of these Upon examination of the list of foods given herewith 



articles of food, what does it prove? Simply that the "old we find that in a pound of oats there is .092 protein and .532 



woman's nonsense" of eggs and bread crumbs is scientifi- carbohydrates and fat; in a pound of wheat .075 and .700 re- 



cally and naturally correct and that, knowingly or unknow- spectively; in a half pound of corn .035 and .392, and in a 



ingly, our grandmothers have been following nature's way half pound of beef scraps .225 and .235 respectively. To 



as closely as possible. illustrate, we will add these quantities: 



If it is not desirable to go to the trouble of figuring out Protein, '^^l^d'patt^^ 



a ration, the easier way is to choose from the list such a „ nound oats 092 .532 



variety of foods as will give a ration near enough for general one pound wheat 075 .700 



purposes. It should be remenibered that the larger the pro- One-half pound corn 035 .392 



portion of carbohydrates and fat, the wider the ration. If One-half pound beef scraps •• -^^^ '^^^ 



you wish to make the ration narrower take a food that pos- 427 1.859 



sesses little carbohydrates and fat; bran, for instance. Is ^^^^ dividing the carbohydrates and fat by the protein 



one of the best of foods, but too bulky and idigestible for use ^^ ^^^ ^^^ proportion of these important constituents to be 



except with a more concentrated food. ^^^ p^^,. ^^^^^^^^ ^^ ^ 35 ^^^^^ carbohydrates and fat. This 



In this connection we must warn the reader to use very .^ ^ j.^^^ ^.^^^ ^j^^^ ^^ intended, but it is near enough for 



little, if any, cottonseed meal. We have before informed ^^j practical purposes, even if we did not consider the green 



readers that It is very indigestible. Linseed meal is more ^^^^ ^^^ .^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^ ^^ ^j^^ ^^^ ^^^^^^ ^j^^ ^^y ^he 



easily digested, but it, too. should be used sparingly. addition of these will bring the ration down to the desired 



Remember to give the chickens all the green food they „„;„(■ 

 need. There is nothing better for them: than clover, lettuce ^^^ ^^^^^ composing the ration will be changed fre- 

 er cabbage. quently with the exception of the oats. We will use oats 



From the age of three weeks or a month to the age of ^^^^^ ^^^ Sometimes we may substitute buckwheat for 



two months, nearly any grain may be fed that is suitable in ^^^^^ ^^ ^^^^_ ^^ ^^^^^ ^.^^^ ^^^^^^^ ^^^^ ^^^ Occasionally 



size; that is, anything except whole corn. I generally feed ^^ ^^^^ ^ ^^^^^ .^ ^^.^^ ^^ ^^^ considerable bran. This 



hulled oats, finely cracked corn, millet and wheat, the ^.^^ ^^^.^^ ,^ ^^^^.^^ ^^^ ^^.^^ ^^^.^^ ^^^^^^ ^^^^ ^^^^^^ 



greater the variety the better. If the fowls are on a good ^^^ ^^^ ^^^^ .^ ^.^^ ^^ ^.^^ ^ ^^^^ ^^ p^^^ ^^ ^^^^^^ ^^ ^^ 



sized range they will provide themselves with nearly enough ^^^^^ ^^^^^^ ^^ ^^^^ ^^^^^ ^^^.^^ containing large propor- 



animal food. At this period the basis of the ration is wheat. ^^^^^ ^^ carbohydrates and fat). 



I feed as much wheat as all the other grains combined. -nTifv, ►v,„ ,>^„™„i„ „a i „,■„ * * „j i,„ „ • +t,„ 



With the example and analysis of foods here given there 



Ration for Growthy Youngsters. will be no difficulty forming a ration from such foods as are 



Early hatched birds cause little worry, little trouble, Pl^it'^ii. Prices vary, as we have said, and the variation 



and it is a pleasure to see them grow. ^^"'^''^ ^« accepted as a hint to change the food. The fowls 



An extensive run where shade is available is desirable. "^^ object. 



A grass run. an alfalfa patch, a clover or cornfield are alike "'^^''^^^ ^^^ '^°''^^ immediately preceding a show the 



ideal poultry runs and provide an abundance of insects that ^^^^^ ^^^^ ''® ^^^ ^s suggested for late hatched chickens. 



coax the rangy youngsters to exercise while furnishing them ''"'^ ""^^^^^ "^^y ^^^ '''^^^^ weight there will be no necessity 



with a substitute for meat. Chickens from two to five *°^ feeding them after the usual evening meal, which is 



months old gain size and health under such conditions. If ^'^®° before sundown. 



they are on a farm where range is unlimited they need only Forcing Late Hatched Chicks for Show. 



a little additional food morning and evening, the variety Both the fancier and the breeder of poultry for market 



depending upon what the fields afford. Where the range is are well on the way to successful feeding when they have 



less extensive it provides fewer insects and little or no grain, realized that different foods produce different conditions and 



We will assume that green food is plentiful. have decided to select such foods as will aid them in secur- 



Of what then shall the ration consist? Such foods as ing the condition desired. It is clear that a change of food 



promote the formation of muscle and bone.— that means is necessary when the chick merges from its babyhood, takes 



size; flesh and fat— that means vigor. on a new suit of feathers and becomes a full-fledged young- 



What shall the foundation of the ration be now? ster. Every poultryman we believe sees the necessity for a 



*^^*®- change of food at that period, but the majority are governed 



"But oats are so seldom fed," you say, "particularly In simply by the knowledge that the chicken is then equipped 



sections where corn is plentifully grown." with better means of digestion and can do with less costly 



Where oats have been tried they are seldom discarded, and more bulky food. True it is that In most cases the 



They are the best grain I know to put size on a fowl, and breeder desires rapid growth and generally provides, or at 



they have formed the foundation of my ration for growing least intends to provide, that which will induce It. Is it not 



stock for many years, and my strain is noted for its size. in addition necessary to consider what requirement the fowl 



To form feathers which are continually being renewed is intended to fulfill? Take the exhibitor, for instance His 



in fowls of this age we require more animal matter than can fowls are destined for the show rooms.yet this does not mean 



be secured on the range. It is better to give more rather that they shall all be fed alike or in equal quantities. Some 



than less at such a stage and a ration of about one part pro- must be prepared for the early fall and winter shows- others 



Item to four parts carbohydrates is none too narrow. It may for the later winter shows. If the exhibitor is blessed with 



