FEEDING POULTRY 343 
such as are used for crate fattening, etc., should be made up of both 
grain and mash mixtures. The grain is needed to provide activity 
for the muscles of the digestive tract and to keep them in the best 
working condition. Ground feeds being easily digested do not 
furnish these muscles with sufficient work. In order to meet the 
needs of heavy production a part of the ration should consist of soft 
ground feeds which are easily digested and can rapidly supply the 
extra needs of heavy egg production, rapid growth and quick 
fattening. 
Digestibility—The more thoroughly digestible a feed is, the 
more effective it is. Hay and grains with heavy seed coats are not, 
Fia. 100.--Interior of modern poultry house. 
as economical feeds for poultry as feeds containing less woody mate- 
rial because the percentage of digestibility is lower. Variety in- 
creases the digestibility of a ration. 
Cost is an essential item in feeding poultry. The feed cost of 
producing a dozen eggs when fowls are fed a well-balanced variety 
ration, is less than when they are fed only one kind of grain, for 
instance. The most economical ration is one that secures the best 
results at the lowest cost. 
Flavor.—No feeds should be fed which will injure the flavor 
or keeping quality of the products. 
How Much to Feed.—There can be no hard and fast rule laid 
