Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1915-07-24
COPYRIGHT, 1915.

ieally, the owner must give them ra-
| ton that will secure regular and rapid
| development. In this article Prof
Lewis tells what each element In the
common foods is, and shows how tc
mix feeds that will give best results
with the growing stock.
Growing poultry must be provided
with an abundance of foods of the
right composition supplied i'm such q
way as to reduce the labor to the
lowest point which is consistent with
good growth and proper maturity.
1t is vitally necessary to appreciate
the Importance of systematic feeding
1t is a established fact that poul-
| try, more than any other farm animal
must be cared for in a systematic way
A definite time should be set aside fol
feeding the growing stock, and they
should be fed each day at the same
time and with the same degree OF
care. Random feeding will not result
in successfully grown roasters for mar
ket purposes.
knowledge of Food Essential
In determining the best foods for
growing poultry, it is essential that
the feeder should know the functions
and uses of the common nutriments
They are protein, carbohydrates, fat,
ash and water. Each of these mate
rials has definite function to per-
form, and all must supplied in the
proper proportions if continuous
growth is to be maintained.
Protein is essentially a nitrogenous
food material. 1t is of the most i'm
portance in the ration, is expensive to
purchase, and can not be readily
grown by the poultryman. 1t provides
material for the formation of the lean
meat feathers, beak and nails. Car
bohydrateS are food materials which
contain carbon, hydrogen and oxygen,
examples being sugar and starch. Fat
is oil stored up in plants and animals.
Carbohydrates and fat have much the
same function when fed to the grow
ing birds. These functions are three
l. They are oXidized or burned in
the process of digestion and give off
heat, which keeps the birds warm.
2. Heat is produced and utilized by
the bird as energy to enable it to
move.
3. The carbohydrates and fats which
are not used for heat and energy are
stored up in the body as animal fat,
or reserved food material.
Growing poultry must have these
elements of protein, carbohydrates and
fat in order to maintain a satisfactory
gain.
Mineral Matter Important
Ash or mineral matter is an impor-
tant nutriment having for its function
the building up of the bone and the
formation of the framework of the
body. Lime is a simple form of ash,
which is fed extensively in poultry
rations In addition to building up
body and tissue, ash aids the process
of digestion by increasing the availa-
bility Of other foods. The growing
poultry must have enough mineral
matter to build a good solid frame
work lo fnI- fIatr l. ~
TO put on larger amount of flesh
when desired
Water while not a true food, has
an important function. 1t aids in dis
solving food material in smaller par
ticles and distributing them to the diff
ferent parts of the body 1t also adds
materially in increasing diffusion.
which is the process by which food
material is ultimately assimilated.
With this brief discussion of the
functions of the different nutriments.
1t will be interesting and practicable
TO know the possible sources of these
materials in order to mix rations eco
nomlcally. Protein or nitrogenous
food materials are of two <inds-those
of an animal source and those of a
vegetable source. There is no more
economical source of protein than
meat scrap, which can be purchased
for about $50 ton, or five cents a
pound for the protein present. Fish
scrap is also efficient as a protein
carrier. IL contains considerable phos-
phoric acid and nitrogen. 1t can be
purchased for 50 per 100 pounds, Bone
In the dry granulated form contains
from 20 to 20 per cent. protein. and
about 23 per cent. of phosphoric acid
Growing chicks thrive much better
when 1t is included in ration. These
three carriers of animal protein offer
N1lffi0lanf 10.
taple protein carriers usually consist
or such products as gluten meal. oil
meal and soy bean meal. These are
efficient when given in relativeIv
small quantities, but protein from
such sources will not replace protein
from animal sources.
Clover and Alfalfa Desirable
Glover and alfalfa are efficient car
riers of protein. They contain con
siderable nitrogen, and can be fed
proftably in the ration. The most
economical plan is to grow them On
the range and allow the birds to eat
them off the roots.
Carbohydrates and fat can best he
secured from home or farm grown
materials, such as wheat and oats
Corn contains large amounts of car
bohydrates as well as considaro HE
fat. Carbohydrates are found in large
quantities in all grain and cereal
crops They are not as expensive to
purchase as are protein nutriments
and a wider choice is available.
The minerals which can best he go
cured are fish scrap and dry ground
bone. Lime and phosphorus acid
seems to be the two most desirable
forms of ash. Phosphoric acid not
only builds up the bone structure. but
materially increases the value of foods
fed by making them more digestibIe
An abundance of fresh, clean. nure
water should be kept before the grow
ing poultry at all times. In addition
If the proper growth is to be main !,
tanned, they should have access To a
green growing crop. Permanent sod
is best, but in the absence of this the
range can be seeded to oats or buclxo
wheat. which provides for a succulent
tender feed.
Table of Suitable Feeds
The following table shows food ma
terials which can be obtained at rea-
sonable and moderate prices. From
this the feeder can make up his own
ration: