COMPOSITION OF FEED MATERIALS 215 



The carbohydrates in the average ration will generally be 

 sufficient, for they are in all farm-raised feeds (Fig. 123). 

 In balancing a ration an excess of carbohydrates must be 

 avoided, and this can best be done by giving concentrated 

 protein feeds. 



Fat. — The fat in feed is quite similar in composition to 

 that found in an animal's body; in one case it is a vegetable 

 oil, and in the other, animal oil. Its uses are identical with 

 those of the carbohy- l^^^^^^^^^^^^^^i^BBHl 

 drates, and need not be 

 considered separately. 



Water. — ^Water is a 

 common element in all 

 feeding stuffs. Since the 

 bird's body contains 

 more than fifty per cent 

 of water , and the egg 

 which is produced more 

 than sixty-five per cent, 

 it is essential that large 

 amounts of water be 

 given the birds. There 

 is a very high water 

 content in young, tender, 

 growing plants. Birds on free range get large quantities 

 from this source. There is also considerable water in 

 fresh cut fodders, but, owing to the fact that they wilt quickly, 

 they do not furnish as much water as when the birds eat 

 them directly from the root. The water contained in grow- 

 ing plants often runs as high as 80 to 85 per cent. In dry 

 grains and hay much of the water has evaporated, and there 

 is left only about ten to twelve per cent. When given to the 

 birds in feed, water serves many purposes. First, it is 

 desirable as an appetizer, for it is a well-known fact that 

 succulence or juiciness increases the palatability of feed. 



Fig. 123. — Corn which can be raised on every 

 American farm is one of the best sources of 

 carbohydrates. It can be fed to birds either 

 whole, cracked, or as cornmeal in the dry mash. 



