PRAIRIE FARMER'S POULTRY BOOK 



the demand of the body is for an increased supply of heat, corn 

 is indicated as a Hberal portion of the diet. Probably the best 

 nutritive ratio for the production of feathers is 1:4 or even 

 narrower. The following will be found of value in this critical 

 season. 



Ration No. IX. For the molt. Nutritive ratio required, 1:4. 



Grain mixture: Mash: 



Cracked corn 40 lbs. Corn meal 40 lbs. 



Wheat 40 lbs. Wheat bran 30 lbs. 



Hulled oats 20 lbs. Meat meal 20 lbs. 



O. P. oil meal 10 lbs. 



100 lbs. 100 lbs. 



The nutritive ratio of this ration is 1 : 4.2. Wheat can be 

 used solely, replacing the other grains, and the same ratio \yill 

 be preserved. 



Ration to Fatten Market Fowls 



A large percentage of farm' poultry goes to market without 

 any preparation. What the farmer loses by this failure to con- 

 dition his fowls is gained by the packers and others who make 

 a business of fattening the thin stuff which reaches the com- 

 mission merchant. With little pains and expense the farmer 

 could reap this proiit. Fowls that come from the range are 

 not tender, their meat is tough and stringy. A few days in 

 the fattening room or crate makes a wonderful change in the 

 quality of the meat. A fattening ration requires a narrow 

 ratio. In a former chapter it was pointed out that the excess 

 of carbohydrate, over and above the requirements of the 

 fowl's body, is converted into fat; the same is true of the excess 

 of protein. The fattening ration should be rich in carbohy- 

 drate, but the protein constituent should not be overlooked. 

 The ratio usually advised is 1:3. Probably a ratio of 1 : 4 

 would answer just as well. A very crude method of fattening 

 is to confine the fowls and place before them whole corn and 

 water. The nutritive ratio of corn is 1 : 7.5. This ration is 

 too wide; more variety is needed. Protein is the great fat 

 former and should be a prominent factor in a fattening ration. 

 The following ration is recommended. 



Ration No. X. For fattening for the market. 



Corn meal 100 lbs. 



Oat meal 100 lbs. 



Bran 25 lbs. 



Meat meal SO lbs. 



Skim milk or buttermilk 600 lbs. 



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