PRAIRIE FARMER'S POULTRY BOOK 



Water Protein Fat Ash 



Fowl, per cent 55 20 19 6 



Egg, per cent 66 13 9 12 



Body growth and maintenance come first. Unless there 

 is a surpkis of material above that required for heat, energy, 

 growth and maintenance there can be no production of eggs. 

 In laying down the following principles of feeding the de- 

 mands of the fowl have been consulted. 



Balanced Rations 



A balanced ration is necessary, that is, a ration that 

 supplies the food elements that are needed, and in the proper 

 proportion. If poultry raisers would feed only those rations 

 that meet the actual needs of the fowls in each season, their 

 troubles would cease. The medicine chest would be forgotten 

 and the question, "Does poultry pay?" would receive an 

 immediate answer in the affirmative. This is the secret they 

 long have sought. Detailed grain and mash rations for all con- 

 ditions are given on pages 46 to 51. 



Supplementary Feeds 



In addition to the regular ration selected, certain supple- 

 mentary materials should be provided : 



Grit is actually needed for grinding the feed. Its presence 



in the crop is not absolutely needed for the life of the bird, 



for fowls have been known to thrive for months without it. 



It has been proven, however, that a supply of grit means more 



. rapid mastication, more complete digestion and greater thrift. 



If grit material is made of quartz or granite it is insoluble 

 in the digestive fluids, and a small quantity will last for a long 

 period. A fowl may be deprived of grit for months and yet a 

 quantity will be found in the crop. Oyster shell serves as grit 

 for a brief period only, as it is dissolved by the hydrochloric 

 acid of the digestive fluids. Good sharp grit should always be 

 in reach of the flock. 



Water must be classed as a food. As it comprises 55 per 

 cent of the fowl's body and 66 per cent of the composition of 

 an egg, its importance is evident. It is true that a bird can 

 live for a considerable period without water, but it cannot 

 produce eggs without it nor can it live indefinitely. I have 

 known baby chicks to thrive for two weeks without any water 

 outside of what they obtained in their daily ration of food. 



[35] 



