The constant use of onions is discouraged, as their function is nothing more nor less than a stimulant. Onions are desirable when the birds are off their appetite or out of condition. Birds relish onions in all forms. It is necessary to limit the amount fed, however, as they are apt to impart some of their odor to the eggs and flesh. Limited quantities of chopped onion tops are a desirable addition to rations for growing chicks.

Root-crops require considerable labor to grow, harvest and feed. Their succulence and palatability, however, make them a necessary part of every poultry ration, especially when other green forage is not available.

TABLE X.-Composition of Vegetables.

(Total ingredients are given, regardless of their digestibility.)

Cabbage is one of the most popular and most valuable vegetables for succulent poultry feed. The crop grows rapidly and a large yield is possible from a small area. Cabbage is generally fed direct from the field in the late fall without storing. It is the best practice when growing cabbage for poultry feeding to allow it to head up well, because the total weight of succulent feed is thereby greatly increased. Cabbage may either be fed chopped fine and mixed with mashes, or it may be suspended on a cord or on a hook and the birds allowed to eat it directly from the head.

Lettuce is as desirable a source of succulent feed as cabbage, but, owing to the smaller yield, its poor keeping qualities, and its high market value for human consumption, it is little used for poultry. It is often economical to raise small quantities of lettuce for the feeding of baby chicks, as they relish it and thrive on it. Kohl-rabi may be spoken of as a turnip-cabbage. The fleshy stem is used for its succulence. In value it is about equal to turnip, and the keeping qualities are good.

The rape plant is a rapidly-growing annual plant and is coming into quite general use as a poultry forage crop. Immense yields are secured where it is grown for soiling, and when pastured it grows continuously through the summer.

Swiss chard is planted in rows and cultivated, the crop being supplied to the birds at regular intervals. The chard will grow continually after each successive cutting, and one seeding will produce a large amount of succulent feed in a season.

Minerals for Poultry. The importance of minerals in poultry rations has been much neglected in the past. Recent experiments tend to show that the character, composition, and source of minerals or ash in a ration are the determining features as to the efficiency of a given ration.

Dry ground bone, in its many forms, and if of good quality, has proved to be a very good source of both protein and phosphate. Samples averaging 25 per cent protein and 24 per cent of mineral matter can be purchased so reasonably as to make them, beyond doubt, a very economical source of protein and ash. Birds relish dried bone. It has no laxative properties, and is recommended for the feeding of baby chicks and growing stock.

Fresh cut bone consists of refuse bone and clippings from butcher-shops. This product when available, ground in especially prepared cutters, is a very good source of protein and mineral matter. The supply is usually limited, and the price rather high. Where a large number of birds are to be fed, it is better to purchase the bones in bulk, and grind them by the use of a power bone cutter on the plant. Fresh bone is not good for growing chicks, but will produce excellent results when fed to laying stock. It is very forcing when fed in large quantities, and it is the best practice to limit it to less than 15 per cent of the dry-mash ration. (See also page 195.)

Oyster shells, when fed to poultry, supplies to laying hens the carbonate of lime for the egg shell, and, in the case of growing

birds, provides ash for the skeleton. It seems to be of less value for growing chicks, as it contains little if any phosphate. Samples of crushed oyster shells usually run over 95 per cent carbonate of lime. Crushed shells are especially valuable when they can be fed fresh, that is, gathered regularly from the beach, or after the oysters or clams have been removed, and immediately crushed or ground.

Sources of Phosphate.-Composition (pounds in 100).

Granulated bone (dry)
Green cut bone.

Phosphate rock.

Phosphoric acid,
P205.

Protein.
25
19 to 34

24

23 to 25
28 to 32

Poultry grit is not valuable as a source of ash, as it usually contains little if any lime, and very little phosphate, the main component being silica. The function of grit is that of grinding.

Other Sources of Mineral Matter.-There are a great many advertised sources of mineral matter for poultry feeding. Few of the commercial forms, however, seem to supply the particular kind of mineral in the best form. Raw phosphate rock gives fair results, but the available mineral matter is small in comparison with its bulk. There are certain advertised commercial feeds which are guaranteed to contain a large quantity of ash. Some of these, owing to their physical properties, are of little value, and are not economical when compared with the results obtained by the use of cheaper and better-known materials, such as bone products.

Ash in Grains.-Wheat bran is a very efficient source of ash and is fed quite extensively with this purpose in view. Considering only its value as a protein carrier, the cost of wheat bran is relatively high, but considering its palatability and high ash content it can be highly recommended. It is desirable in the feeding of baby chicks. There are other grains, such as barley and oats, which contain enough ash to be worth considering.

Double Function of Minerals.-Experiments show that the ash content in a ration bears a definite relation to the complete use of other nutrients in it. Not only is the actual availability of the mineral matter itself of value, but mineral compounds have a very noticeable effect in increasing the digestibility of other nutrients in the ration, especially protein. Minerals thus perform a double function.

REVIEW.

1. Into what two great groups can all feeds be divided? 2. Name the inorganic substances used for feed.

3. Discuss the use of water in digestion and assimilation.

4. When and where should salt be used?

5. When are phosphates especially useful?

6. What is meant by organic feeds? Give several examples.

7. Where does corn rank as a poultry feed?

8. What by-products of corn are used in poultry feeding?

9. Discuss wheat and its by-products as a poultry feed.

10. Name the parts of the wheat kernel and what feed each forms after milling. 11. Tell of the value of oats as a poultry feed.

12. Discuss sprouted oats, their use, and methods of sprouting.

13. Give the composition of sprouted oats.

14. Discuss the use of each of the following grains in poultry feeding: Buckwheat; barley; rye; rice; sorghum seed; sunflower seed; peas and beans.

15. What is the source of oil meal?

16. What is the advice regarding the use of ready-mixed feeds and manufactured product?

17. Enumerate the important feeds of animal origin.

18. With respect to what nutrient are they especially important?

19. Give the composition of beef scrap, and discuss its use as a feed.

20. Give the composition of ground bone, and its use as a poultry feed.

21. From what standpoints is milk a desirable feed?

22. Discuss the use of skim milk in poultry feeding.

23. Under what conditions can eggs be profitably used in feeding poultry? Tell how.

24. Discuss, in detail, hays and grasses as to their uses as feeds.

25. What vegetables are often grown for feeding poultry?

26. Discuss mangel-wurzel beets as feed for poultry.

27. Give the sources of mineral matter in the ration.

28. Discuss minerals and their effect upon digestibility.

References.-The Economic Value of Root Crops, by E. R. Minn, Cornell Bulletin 317. Poultry Feeding Stuffs, by H. J. Wheeler, Rhode Island Bulletin 84. Poultry Feeding, by M. E. Jaffa, California Bulletin 164. Condimental Feeds, Delaware Report, 1901. Commercial Feeding Stuffs, United States Bureau of Chemistry Bulletin 108. Alfalfa Meal as a Feeding Stuff, in U. S. Farmers' Bulletin 259.

CHAPTER XII.

PRACTICE OF POULTRY FEEDING.

BEFORE discussing the requirements of a successful ration and the practice commonly used in the feeding of poultry, it is well that the design and construction of the feed house be considered and that the equipment be reviewed.

FEEDING EQUIPMENT.

The Poultry Feed House.-A great many poultry plants, whether small or large, owing to improper facilities for the handling of feed and the mixing of rations, lose large sums of money through waste and labor which could easily be saved by careful attention to better methods.

In the design and laying out of a poultry plant, one of the things to be considered is the location of the feed house. It should be centrally located on rather high ground, if possible, giving good drainage and freedom from dampness; it should be easy of access both from the main highway and from the different units or laying houses themselves. In some instances it is desirable to locate the feeding room in the centre of the long laying house, having overhead tracks running from the feeding room directly to the different houses. This is a great labor-saving device, and proves very serviceable in the caring for adult birds in the intensive house. In equipping broiler plants, where a special feed room is required for chick rations, the overhead track system has been found very economical and practical.

In planning the style and construction, two things should be borne in mind: First, to have the building large enough for the storing of grains and the proper housing of the feeding appliances; and, second, to have it, as far as possible, proof against mice and rats.

The feed house is often two stories in height (Fig. 118), with the grain-storage bin located on the second floor and the rations falling through chutes to the lower floor. This gives ample room on the lower floor for the proper arrangement of mixers, grinders, and other appliances. There must be room for feed pails, for drinking fountains, for hoppers, and for storage when needed.