194 



POULTRY CULTURE 



Peas and beans. In limited quantities peas and small beans are 



readily eaten by poultry. They will regularly eat a little, but object 



to large proportions of them in their rations. Pea meal is sometimes 



used in mashes, but more by amateurs and experimenters trying to 



. secure maximum results than by others. All these products are 



Table XL Composition and Values of Peas and Beans 



unquestionably good poultry foods when properly combined with 

 others in rations, but supplies are irregular and prices usually too 

 high as compared with staple grain products to warrant using 

 them extensively. 



Miscellaneous seeds. Of the seeds given in Table XII only Kafir 

 com and millet are of any considerable importance to American 

 poultry feeders. In regions where it is grown, Kafir corn has been 

 quite extensively used for poultry, and is reputed equal to wheat, 

 with which it corresponds quite closely in analysis. Chinese and 

 Egyptian corn and durra are akin to Kafir corn. These seeds are 

 rarely available for poultry feeding. Millet is useful in a combina- 

 tion of fine grains for small chicks, or as a light feed for fowls, but 

 can be profitably used only when below wheat in price, and then only 

 to a limited extent. In feeding millets of different varieties it will be 

 observed that poultry prefer those having the largest seeds. Sun- 

 flower seed has a traditional reputation as an excellent conditioner, 

 adding luster to the plumage. Its value for this purpose appears 

 greatest when fed to fowls whose ration is deficient in fat, as is 

 the case with many flocks whose keepers are prejudiced against 

 the use of corn and meat. Birds having a ration sufficient in fat 



