246 



FEEDING 



erels and to pullets. But, if the best growth is to be attained, 

 the sexes must be kept apart. 



Principles Involved. — The following principles should be 

 understood before attempting to feed young stock during 

 the growing period. The rations must be designed to pro- 

 mote growth, and must contain a considerable amount of 

 protein, which is necessary for the production of lean meat 

 or flesh. It should also provide a liberal amount of ash to 

 form the skeleton, or bony frame. 



Fig, 135. — Leghorn pullets on range. If given opportunity they will always pick 

 the cool shady hedge rows rather than the open sunny places. 



The feed supply should be constantly available. Growing 

 chicks are always hungry, and it is impossible to gauge their 

 appetite by feeding them once or twice a day. If their feed 

 supply is always where they can have free access to it, their 

 growth will be uniform. This constant feed supply not only 

 equalizes the growth, but it enables the summer or late 

 hatched chicks to get their share of it. If they were all fed 

 together with a scratch ration, the summer chicks would 

 be crowded out by the strong older chicks. 



Plenty of range is good for them. Large runs mean sani- 

 tary conditions, and also afford plenty of exercise (Fig. 135). 



