26 
The Bulletin 
have a sufficient supply of this mineral. The mixtures containing meat 
and bone meal, and bone meal namely, 1, 3, 7, and 8, have an excess 
of calcium. None of the mixtures are deficient in magnesium. All are 
apparently deficient in sulphur. Again, all of the purely grain mixtures 
are deficient in chlorine. All the grain and mill feed mixtures are 
deficient in phosphorus, only those containing meat and bone meal, 
and bone meal have sufficient phosphorus. Only the grain mixtures 
consisting of corn, wheat, and oats are deficient in iron, that is, Mixtures 
2 and 4, all the balance having a surplus. 
It must be kept in mind, however, that these comparisons are made 
comparing the mixture to the analyses of the chick when, in fact, it 
requires approximately three pounds feed to produce one pound of 
gain. Since mineral eliminated from thp body, as a result of metabolism, 
is given off through the mucosa of the bowel, and through the kidneys, 
and since all this material is emptied into the cloaca, it is impossible 
to tell just how much is eliminated from the body, and how much re¬ 
mains in the intestinal tract unutilizable. However, it appears that 
feed without meat and bone meal, meat meal, bone meal, or milk, will 
be deficient in calcium and in phosphorus, with a possibility of a slight 
shortage in some feed combinations of chlorine. In mixtures of corn, 
wheat, and oats alone, there will be a deficiency in sodium. It is quite 
evident that mashes are essential in chick feeding as a supplement to 
the grain mixtures to furnish sufficient mineral salts which are essential 
for proper growth and development. 
It must also be kept in mind that limestone grit, oyster shell, bugs 
and insects, as well as worms and other materials picked up by chicks 
on range aid in making good mineral shortage, but the exact amount is 
always problematical. 
If the above feed mixtures were fed with milk, and the chicks given 
milk to drink, the mineral balance would be changed. 
The average amount of milk to produce one gram of weight is found 
to be 7.49 grams, with mash and grain amounting to 2.91 grams. 
Taking this as the standard, the following mineral content in total feed 
taken in is had, that is, not taking into consideration green feed or 
materials secured in foraging. Each gram of mash requires 2.57 grams 
milk, and 0.34 gram green feed. 
