CHAPTER XVII 

 RATIONS AND METHODS OF FEEDING 



The object of feeding is to transform the vegetable and ani- 

 mal feeds into finished products in the form of eggs and meat 

 which are edible, and to keep the body in a normal physiologic 

 condition. 



The different processes in the body to be considered are 

 growth, reproduction, storing of fat, maintenance of the body 

 temperature, repair of body tissue waste, to supply muscular 

 energy, and the elaboration of secretions. 



A chick develops or grows very rapidly if given proper food. 



The baby chick is one of the most delicate animals, and is 

 capable of making the most rapid growth of any. The baby 

 chick at hatching weighs about l}i ounces. By proper care 

 and feed the chick should weigh 40 ounces at twelve weeks old, 

 or an increase of approximately twenty-six times its original 

 weight. Therefore, the process of digestion and assimilation 

 is much greater than in other animals. Cell metabolism is 

 very rapid. A chick requires a large amount of mineral mat- 

 ter, as lime-salts, as well as much protein, hence it requires a 

 narrow ration. The greatest primary increase is in bone and 

 muscle. The bony structure is the framework for the support 

 of the reproductive and other vital organs and attachment for 

 the skeletal muscles. Many of the hollow organs, as the 

 bowels, contain muscular coats, which are composed largely of 

 albumen. This albumen is built up from the protein of the 

 food, and the same may be said of the skeletal muscles and of 

 the cells of the glands. The muscular structure is called lean 

 meat. Protein is the nitrogen-containing portion of the food. 



As a result of rapid growth and development the bird must 

 be supplied with food containing much protein. Body de- 

 velopment or growth is largely completed when egg production 

 or egg formation begins. 



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