THE FEEDS 335 



This is because the crude fiber seems to be of insignificant 

 feeding value for domestic birds. Oats, including the hulls, 

 possess the largest amount of fiber and nearly the highest 

 of ash of all the cereals, while the percentage of fat runs 

 nearly as high as in corn. Hulled oats are similar to wheat 

 in composition, except that the fat content is higher. 



The relative amount of hull and kernel governs their 

 desirability for poultry feeding. Light oats have a poor 

 feeding value because of large per cent, of hull, which is 

 about as digestible as straw. Heavy, clean oats are relished 

 by chickens and add variety to the ration. 



Hulled oats seem to be especially adapted for growing 

 chicks because of their oil content and their stimulating 

 effect on the nervous system. 



The amounts of digestible nutrients found in 100 pounds of 

 whole oats as determined by digestion experiments with 

 chickens are 8.1 pounds of protein, 4.2 pounds of fat, and 

 53.5 pounds of nitrogen-free extract. It contains 3.2 pounds 

 of ash and has a nutritive ratio of 1 to 7.7 for chickens. The 

 crude fiber content is 10.8 pounds. 



Rice. — ^While rice is classed as a fattening feed because of its 

 large proportion of carbohydrate, nevertheless it is considered 

 an excellent feed for little chicks because of its regulating 

 effect on the bowels. It is usually fed in the grain portion 

 of the ration. In the case of a tendency toward bowel trouble, 

 however, it is frequently boiled. The boiled rice is fed as a 

 wet mash, and the water drained off and given the chicks to 

 drink after being cooled. 



The average amounts of the nutrients found in 100 pounds 

 of polished rice are 12.3 pounds of water, 0.5 pound of ash, 

 7.4 pounds of crude protein, 79.4 pounds of carbohydrates, 

 of which 0.4 pound is crude fiber, and 0.4 pound is fat. 

 The amounts digestible for chickens are not known. 



Rye. — This grain, although quite similar to wheat in 

 composition; is not suited for poultry feeding. It seems to 

 contain some ingredient which renders it unpalatable to the 

 fowl. When the fowls are compelled to eat it, it, has a 

 tendency to cause digestive disorders and affect the flavor 

 of the egg. 



