FEEDING FOR GROWTH 



249 



free range, the feed necessary to mature a cockerel or pullet 

 to five months of age will cost from thirty to forty cents. 



Feeding Just Before Maturity, — After the chicks have 

 completed the growing period, or are approaching maturity, 

 their ultimate maturity can be quite materially affected by 

 the feeding. If they are not maturing fast enough, or not in 

 just the proper condition, they can be forced in slight degree 

 by the addition of nitrogen to their feeds. Doubling the 

 meat scrap in the mash will bring about the desired results. 



Fig. 137. — Feeding White Leghorn cockerels their scratch grain ration. 



If, on the other hand, they seem to be maturing too fast, 

 the combs and wattles reddening up too rapidly, growth and 

 maturity can be slightly retarded by withholding some of 

 the more concentrated nutrients. 



Successful feeding calls for knowledge and skill. These 

 can only be secured by study and personal observation of 

 the results obtained by feeding. 



LABORATORY EXERCISES 



Exercise No. 62. — The Unabsorbed Yolk. — Dissect a day 

 old chick and another one four days old. Note the size of the 

 yolk in each case. How is the presence of this yolk accounted 

 for? How does its presence necessitate limited early feeding? 



