362 POULTRY PRODUCTION 



growth means the building of tissues, the development of 

 vital organs, and the growth of feathers* that are largely 

 protein, and of bone, which is largely ash. Both are so 

 important from the stand-point of growth that they are 

 frequently referred to as "the growing nutrients." 



As will be noted in Table XXVII, of the dry matter of the 

 hen's body, about one-half is protein and 8 per cent, is ash. 

 As W. P. Wheeler^ suggests: "This of itself would suggest 

 that a slow growth must follow the use of feeds containing 

 small amounts of nitrogenous and mineral matter." The 

 proper development of the bony skeleton of the chick is 

 dependent upon an adequate supply of ash. If this supply 

 is stinted, the chicks quickly show signs of stimting, which 

 can never be entirely overcome. 



Wheeler finds that the "requirements of rapidly growing 

 young fowls are so constantly changing that a satisfactory 

 average ration for any extended period cannot be formulated. 

 In the following statement of rations for chicks they are 

 averaged for periods of two weeks at different ages during the 

 time of most rapid growth. The ration for the last period will 

 suflSce for several weeks longer, although the amount required 

 per 100 pounds live weight will gradually diminish up to 

 maturity." 



Table XXXIIl. — Dioestible Nutrients Requibed per Day for Eacb 

 100 PonNDS Live Weight of Growing Chicks. 



"As an example of a day's ration which would correspond 

 to the requirements of the standard given for young diicks 

 during the second week, the following is stated : Four pounds 



' Rice, Rogers and Nixon (Cornell Bulletin No. 258) found that growing 

 chicks experienced at least four moults by the time they were old enough 

 to lay. 



• Jordan's Feeding of Animals. 



