CHAPTER IX. 

 THE COMPOUNDING OF RATIONS. 



Definition of a Ration. — ^Technically, a ration is the feed 

 consumfed by a given number of birds in a specified time. 

 The formula of a ration should include a statement of the 

 kinds, proportions, and amounts of feeds included, the time 

 being assumed to be twenty-four hours unless otherwise 

 stated. In poultry feeding practice, the amount is so largely 

 governed from day to day by the judgment of the feeder, 

 based on the changing requirements of the birds themselves, 

 that it is not customary to specify the amount to be fed in a 

 given time, and a statement of the kinds and proportions of 

 constituents fed, without regard to the amount, is referred to 

 as a ration. 



A Balanced Ration. — ^A balanced ration is a combination of 

 feeds furnishing the several nutrients in such proportion, 

 amount, and form as will, without excess of any nutrient, 

 properly nourish a given group of birds for a specified time.' 



FEEDING STANDARDS. 



A feeding standard is a statement of the exact quantities 

 and proportions of all the digestible nutrients necessary 

 for a ration that is to serve a particular purpose. It differs 

 from a balanced ration in that it does not specify the amount 

 or kinds of feed from which the nutrients shall be secured. 

 Having a feeding standard as a basis from which to work 

 and a knowledge of the feedstufis available, including not 

 only the amounts of the digestible nutrients contained but 



' Adapted from Henry and Morrisnn, Feeds and Feeding. 



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