Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1912-03-14

In approaching this subject 1t Is well
to remember that the feed that fowls
receive is only one Of the factors in
fluencing egg production. Egg produc'
ton is reproductive function, and, al
though it is not the purpose OF this
article to discuss the principles OF re-
production, yet it may be wise to point
out that fecundity is reduced by lack
of exercise, confinement, and cold
climate. Wild animals frequently Will
not breed in captivity. This may be
due to lack of exercise, confinement
improper food or method OF feeding,
or to lack of that feeling OF security
and well-being which Is so important
That the kind Of food that young grow
ing animals receive during their de-
velopment affects their fecundity is
clearly seen in the case of the queen
bee, which owes her sexuality to the
abundance and superior quality OF the
food received during the larval stage.
1t Is also true that an animal too fat
or too poor seldom breeds. Egg pro-
duction depends upon the activity OF
the ovaries, and this activity de-
ponds upon the physical vigor OF
the individual. Heavy egg production,
Inen, is principally problem OF how
to maintain hens in a high state OF
health; and the question before US Is
how to feed to accomplish this pur-
pose.
AS the egg may be considered the
product, let US glance
a moment at its composition. A fresh
egg consists Of about IS per cent wa
ter, IL per cent ash, II per cent pro-
TEN, and 9 per cent fat. In intelligent
feeding, all three of the latter con-
stituents must be kept in mind, and
particular attention must be given to
the relative amounts present An egg
has a uniform and definite composition,
and the feeding stuff used should have
such composition as to exactly an
swer the hens requirements in build
ing up the egg and in meeting the
needs of the body.
Corn Too carbonaceous.
Now inasmuch as feeding stuffs are
usually discussed on the basis of the
protein and carbohydrates present,
and as fat has about two and one
fourth times as much heating value
as the starchy materials present in
feeding stuffs. and grouped under the
general teri, 81 carbohydrates, let US
multiply the percentage Of fat present
in an egg by two and one-fourth. When
this is done 1t becomes evident that
there is in an egg one part of protein
or heterogeneous matter to about two
parts of carbonaceous materials. II
we now examine the composition OF
one Of the grains commonly used In
feeding poultry, namely corn, we find
that instead of one part Of protein to
two parts OF carbonaceous material,
as in an egg, there Is one part OF pro-
tein to ten parts Of carbonaceous ma.
terial. A consideration Of these facts
makes it quite clear that II laying
hen were fed entirely on corn there
would be too much carbonaceous ma
terial as compared with the protein,
this excess OF fatty or starchy material
being about eight parts for every part
OF protein built up into egg substance.
1t Is true that some of this carbonace-
GUS material would be used to keep the
fowl warm and to furnish muscular
energy; but there would be too much
even for this purpose except during
extremely cold weather, and this ex-
cess accommodating in the body would
In time make the hen too fat, with
consequent loss Of vigor. The out
come, then, OF feeding nothing but
whole corn would be that few eggs
would be laid, because only a small
amount Of protein would be available
for the formation Of the eggs, and the
excess Of fatty matter would tend to
clog the system and reduce the vigor
of the fowl 1t may properly be OBJ
served here that hen must be mod
erately fat in order to lay, as eggs can
be formed only after the needs Of the
body are fully attended to. It is only
the surplus nutriments digested and
assimilated that can be used to build
up egg substance.
Feed Beef Scrap With Corn.
Corn Is also deficient in mineral
matter, and so it should be fed with
something to supply the deficiency of
both ash and protein. Beef scrap and
ground fresh meat and bone are rich