South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-05-05
BY Robert Armstrong.
Expert Pouitryman and writer


most OF US feed literally enough. in
fact, some feed too literally. There
is seldom any serious objection
raised on quality. But how about
variety? How about the accesso-
rfes to the bill of fare-the greens,
grits and CRUDE? These are the ele-
ments which are too often neglect
ed, and without which fowls suffer.
There IS a difference between
feeding chickens. and simply sup
pplying them with food. To feed in
telligently means TO cater 10 bodily
requirements in the most economical
manner. To give the flock food
usually means TO throw out grain
and other products regardless Of the
character OF the food and its rela-
ton TO the demands Of the fowls.
no single grain or form Of food is
a complete ration for man or beast.
An animal may subsist for a time
on one. hut sooner or later it will
cease 10 thrive, and eventually it
will perish by disease or starvation
induced by malnutrition. The
bodies Of all creatures positively de-
mand certain elements. and with
out them they cannot survive. When
a diet or ration is made up in such
a manner as to supply a sufficient
amount of each group of nutrients,
IL is called a balanced ration.
IN the limits of a single article it
is impossible 10 discuss at any
length the principles OF nutrition
and feeding. Most poultry raisers
feed sufficient grains, therefore they
provide enough caTbOnaceOus mat
ter. since most grains are rich in
this element; it is also likely that
they feed considerable protein,
which is another term for nitrogen
Gus matter: but their rations are
probably deficient in mineral sub
stances. which we have termed the
accessories to the regular bill Of
fare.
Furnish the Fowls With Grindstones.
Most animals are provided with
teeth to enable them TO masticate
their food and thus prepare it for
the action Of organic secretions, and
its ultimate assimilation. Hens
teeth are proverbially scarce, though
they have been endowed with an
equally good substitute in the form
OF a gizzard. This is quite re-
markable organ: it is tough and
muscular, capable of strong rotary
action. and so situated that all food
passing from the crop must enter
the gizzard. where il is ground up
previous 10 entering the intestines
for the final digestive processes.
In chickens the food is first re-
ceived in the crop. where it remains
for time and is acted upon by a
secretion similar TO the saliva in the
mouth of an animal. which sOftens IL
TO "a great extent. When the food
has absorbed a sufficient amount of
this secretion. it gradually passes
into the gizzard, thence TO the in
festival section. where the available
nutrients are separated from the
waste. and assimilated by the blood.
If supplied with the necessary
grinding material the gizzard will
perform its work thoroughly, and
the fowl will be maintained in a
healthy condition. But, If this
grinding material is not available,
or if it is of improper character.
husks and the harder portions of
the food will defy the action of the
gizzard. accumulate. cause stop
mage. and as a result the fowl be
comes crop bound, which is a form
of Indigestion.
Lack of sharp grit will also cause
sour crop. diarrhoea and liver trou-
bles: and sometimes the gall-sack
will overflow. or burst and result in
the birds death.
Just as a person with poor teeth
derives little enjoyment. and less
nourishmcnt. from his food. and is
frequently troubled with indigestion,
50 well a fowl be unable 10 proper
Is digest its food unless the gizzard
- provided with "molars' sharp
grit at all times
Grit Must be Sharp-Angular.
Don't assume that because fowls
are given freedom 10 roam about
field that they viii pick up sufficient
grit. Unless the hen yard is ada
cent to a quarry. the pebbles picked
up on the average farm are Of little
value as grit They are not sharp
enough 4 smooth. round pebble in
n fowls gizzard is Of no more use
than an axe handle would be for
splitting wood To be effective grits
must have sharp. angular corners:
like grindstOnes, they must have
biting edges.
oyster shells are fed i'm addition
10 grit, for the lime and other min
eral substances that they contain.
IT is astonishing how much OF these
shells are consumed by flock Of
hens during the laying season. and
how little during the unproductive