346 PRODUCTIVE FEEDING OF FARM ANIMALS 
sour. To keep utensils clean that are used in wet-mash feeding 
requires extra labor. 
4. Fowls that are accustomed to the dry mash will lay just as 
well as those fed the wet mash. Growing chicks fed a dry mash 
containing plenty of bran will usually be less subject to digestive 
diarrhoea than if fed a wet mash, as the dry feed will counteract 
any tendency to diarrhcea. 
Wet mashes are more eagerly eaten than dry feed and should 
therefore be fed much more carefully to prevent overeating. In 
cold weather a light noon feed of a wet mash may be advantageously 
fed as an appetizer and for variety, in addition to the regular dry 
mash which is kept before the fowls at all times. Fowls are con- 
fined a great deal in winter and the days seem long. After working 
and scratching in the litter all morning they are inclined to sit 
around in the sun about noon. A scanty feed of wet mash at this 
time will put new energy into them, set them to exercising vigor- 
ously again, and help materially to increase the egg production. 
At other times of the year when the weather is good and the-fowls 
spend much more time out of doors, the dry mash is all that is 
needed. 
For fattening, the wet mash is better than the dry because the 
fowls can be induced to eat more feed and will fatten more rapidly. 
Being more forcing, it should be fed with greater care to prevent 
over-fatness, indigestion and liver trouble. 
Feeding Versus Breeding.—Methods of feeding or the com- 
position of a ration cannot permanently force a fowl to produce 
mere heavily than it is naturally capable of producing. It may be 
possible to greatly increase production for a short period by over- 
stimulation with condiments and very concentrated ground feeds, 
but the fowl soon breaks down under such treatment and is ruined 
for future use. All that feeding should be expected to do is to 
furnish to the fowls feeds that will be physically suitable, 7.¢., small 
enough in size, not too bulky, and not unnaturally stimulating, and 
so proportioned i in the ration as to meet the needs of production and 
healthful activity to best advantage. “The best ration” is one 
‘that promotes the health of the birds and stimulates them to their 
best productive effort. 
Feeding cannot take the place of breeding in building up the 
productive abilities of fowls from generation to generation. ‘It can 
only provide the kind of a ration which will most suitably furnish 
the nutrients needed to develop a fowl productively to the best of 
her capacity. Increased productive capacity can only be secured 
