FEEDING FOR GROWTH 



247 



Grass ranges insure that the feed is obtained from a natural 

 and inexpensive source. Dry feeding is the cheapest. 

 Excessively rapid growth is not desirable, but it should be 

 uniform and continuous. This can best be secured by a 

 feed of dry cracked grains and dry mash, which involves less 

 labor, and is productive of a more uniform and economical 

 growth than the practice of feeding wet, sloppy mashes to 

 growing chicks. 



Fig. 136. — A water-tight barrel placed in a shady place on the range will 

 insure a constant supply of fresh cool water. The barrel should be filled at least 

 every other day. 



Growing pullets should not be excessively forced. Such 

 forcing usually results in a too early maturity, often accom- 

 panied by lack of vigor and vitality, and, if practised year 

 after year, soon exhausts the stock. Plenty of clean, fresh 

 water must be given. Water quenches the thirst, and also 

 performs many functions connected with digestion and 

 assimilation. In the summer, when the weather is dry and 

 hot, the water supply should be closely looked after to make 

 sure that it is accessible and plentiful (Fig. 136). 



Rations for Growing Poultry. — As a rule, the composition 

 of rations for growing poultry is very similar to that of the 



