RATIONS AND METHODS OF FEEDING 



331 



identical with the xanthophyll pigment of plants. Feeding 

 tests with laying hens in which the pigment of the feed was 

 carotin to the relative exclusion of xanthophyll were without 

 appreciable influence upon the amount of pigment carried by 

 the blood serum and deposited in the yolk. The feeding of 

 rations relatively free from both carotin and xanthophyll to 

 laying hens resulted in a marked reduction of the amount of 

 this pigment carried by the blood serum and deposited in the 

 egg yolk. 



The experiments reported find practical application in the 

 control of the color of the flesh (body fat) of fattening poultry, 

 and the control of the amount of natural pigment deposited 

 in the egg yolk. 



Milk being devoid of xanthophyll will make a white fiesh 

 in the fattening fowl or broiler. 



Yellow corn containing much xanthophyll will make rich 

 yellow yolks. The analysis of three feeds is as follows: 



Yolks of eggs contain both yellow and red, the yellow greatly 

 predominating . 



CHICK FEEDING 



In chick feeding, it may be said that in raising pullets for 

 laying and breeding purposes it is well to hatch the heavy 

 breeds, as the Orpingtons, Rocks, and Wyandottes, by the first 

 of February, as it takes six to eight months for them to develop 

 to maturity, while the smaller breeds will reach maturity about 

 two months earlier. 



The following ration is excellent in chick feeding. 



The baby chicks are not fed for three days after they are 

 hatched, to allow of the absorption of the yolk-sac, and are 

 then fed the following for five days : 



