PRAIRIE FARMER'S POULTRY BOOK 



You consider this a cruel experiment, but probably they did 

 not suffer seriously, as all feeds contain a large percentage of 

 water and this is constantly being set free in assimilation and 

 taken into the blood. The importance of clean water in clean 

 vessels cannot be emphasized too strongly. Water gives 

 plumpness to th^ body, aids digestion, takes part in the pro- 

 cesses of assimilation, is the carrier of waste matter to the 

 lungs and kidneys, and, therefore, is essential to a healthy body. 



The best method to supply water is in open vessels. These 

 should be placed on elevated platforms in such a position that 

 the fowls cannot get into them with their feet. The vessel 

 should have sloping sides so that in case of freezing it will 

 not be easily broken and the ice can be easily removed. Such 

 a vessel is quickly cleaned and on a platform as suggested does 

 not become foul from the litter. 



Milk is of great value for growing stock. It can be fed sour 

 or sweet, but it is advised not to change from one kind to the 

 other. For all seasons sweet milk has preference. Sweet milk 

 can be used as soon as separated and, if fed in the morning, 

 it will usually keep sweet until all is consumed. It is of great 

 value in preparing moist mashes for growing stock and fatten- 

 ing rations. It contains considerable protein but this is bal- 

 anced by the carbohydrate of the succulent feeds. Chicks fed 

 on milk grow rapidly and are thrifty. It is claimed that the 

 lactic acid of milk holds in check the bacteria of white diarrhea. 

 It is certainly true that if a brood of chicks once becomes in- 

 fected with bacillarj or coccidial diarrhea it has little value as 

 a cure. 



Ash comprises the mineral salts. Of these phosphate of 

 lime and cstrbonate of lime are of especial importance in form- 

 ing bone and the shell of eggs. A good source of phosphate of 

 lime, or phosphoric acid, is bone meal or granulated bone. 

 It will pay to keep this before growing chicks constantly. It 

 contains 45 per cent of phosphoric acid and in a form that is 

 easy of assimilation. It also contains protein, which adds to 

 its value as a food. The lime for the egg shell is obtained by 

 feeding oyster shell. If this is withheld it means thin shells 

 and fewer eggs. 



Green feed of a succulent nature is essential to the health 

 of a fowl. It is valuable not only because it contains water 

 and other nutrient substances but it contains the vitamines, 

 or growth principles so necessary to vitality and growth. The 



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