202 



COMMERCIAL POULTRY RAISING 



much the same in character. Fowls eat them with a relish. The 

 one objection is cost; they are usually high in price, therefore 

 prohibitive, except in small quantities. 



Millet is fairly reasonable in price, and is found in most of the 

 commercial chick feeds. It has practically the same composi- 

 tion as oats. Owing to 

 an extremely hard shell, it 

 is indigestible. There is a 

 high percentage of fiber, 

 which is against it as an 

 economical feed. Because 

 the seeds are small and 

 brilliantly colored, little 

 chicks are attracted to 

 millet, and will eat it read- 

 ily. This is accompanied 

 by risks, since the bullet- 

 like structure of the seeds 

 resists the grinding action 

 of the gizzard. Many 

 breeders are opposed to 

 the use of millet on this 

 account. The writerdis- 

 carded it long since. 



Sunflower seeds are 

 recommended for the 

 molting season, and for 

 birds intended for exhi- 

 bitions, because of the 

 vegetable oil which im- 

 parts a gloss to the plumage. They have a high fiber content 

 (about 30 per cent) which renders them indigestible and wasteful. 

 Then, too, sunflower seed is expensive. In the writer's opinion, 

 it is not worthy of notice. The plumage can be stimulated by 

 the use of cake meal (old process), which is the residue from linseed 



(Courtesy Wisconsin Experiment Station) 



Fig. 134. — Feeding battery used in pack- 

 ing houses. Note troughs on the outside of 

 the cages. 



