CHAPTER XXII 

 COMMON POULTRY FEEDS 



It is not the object of this chapter to describe every kind 

 of poultry feed obtainable, but to enumerate and classify 

 those most common and necessary. The pupil should try 

 to become familiar with feed types, since by cultivating his 

 powers of observation along this line he will learn to dis- 

 tinguish good feeds from inferior ones. 



SIMPLE CLASSIFICATIONS OF POULTRY FEEDS 



All feed material contains more or less protein, carbo- 

 hydrate, fat, ash, and water. A classification based on the 

 proportion of these ingredients in different feeds, will be 

 of assistance in compounding rations. Many feed materials 

 belong to two groups; for example, cereals both contain 

 protein and are rich in carbohydrates. We will follow the 

 plan of grouping such feeds in the class to which they more 

 prominently belong. 



Animal and Vegetable Feed. — All true feed material is 

 from either animal or vegetable sources. Meat scrap is a 

 good example of a valuable poultry feed which is of animal 

 origin. The grains are good examples of vegetable feeds. 



Protein Feed. — Protein is the element which determines 

 the value of a ration. This is true whether fed for flesh or 

 for egg production. Many varieties of feed fall into this 

 group; only a few, however, are special j^rotein carriers. 

 Protein feeds are hard to grow at home, therefore many of 

 them must be purchased, and they are rather expensive. 



Meat Product. — Meat products of animal origin consti- 

 tute our main supply of protein feeds, meat scrap, meat 

 meal, and dry blood being the three leading forms. Meat 

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