Milford chronicle., 1917-03-23
The Proper Food For Poultry.
By J. H. McFAUL. Jr.
(4H Rights ReSe,Ved1

l Positively never before has the product Of the
hen been so much in demand as at the present
time. and while this is due in some measure TO the
scarcity Of food products result Of the present
world war. yet this same condition as regards eggs
exists every succeeding winter For this reason
would appeal to every person. whether with much
or little ground, to raise at least enough chickens
to supply their own table demands.
We have already considered at some length the
tion to this. want at this time TO touch upon an
other phase of the poultry industry. That Of
proper food for the fowls.
This is one of the poultry problems that is Civ
ing the average breeder considerable trouble and
on account of improper food. probably many fine
specimens of young chckhood are lost to pOsterty.
The subject Of proper food is indeed most diff-
cult one to solve and therefore demands important
consideration.
Then too this is not only an important matter
regards the feeding Of young chicks but also to
the older or more matured birds. Proper food for
the old fowls is as necessary for their performance
to make the business profitable and successful
one for the breeder as it is 70 the growth and de-
velopment Of the younger chicks.
That proper feeding is absolutely necessary to
the conduct Of successful poultry plant is readily
admitted by all who have made the least investiga.
ton into the industry and by those who have had
some experience with fowls.
Improperly fed chicks rarely If ever amount to
much in after-ife. and improperly fed older fowls
will not bring much profit as if they were re-
ceiving the proper kind Of not rshing food. There
fore in order to get the best result from chickens
and in order 70 make them pay good profit. it is
of food at all stages of life But, Of course with
the proper kind of feed it is also essential that
they be given the other necessary requisites for
their health and comfort On the other hand. it
can be said that no matter how good the treatment
there will be little profit accruing from the
fowls unless the feeding consists Of the proper
kind and correct amount.
But to come to the point Of feeding. With the
youngsters it is necessary to furnish foods Of the
kind and quantity that will keep them growing
constantly. and at the same time develop them as
II Hk~.#
have already been properly developed, it is neces-
sary that they be given food that will build up
their bodies and make eggs.
For the youngsters. after they reach the age of
three or four weeks substitute for the bran
growing mash composed Of two parts bran. one
part each Of wheat middlings. alfalfa meal, corn
meal, gluten feed, sifted beef-serap. bone meal
and one-half Of one part fax seed. To this may
also be added salt. to the amount Of one-half Of
one percent of the entire mixture but care should
be exercised not TO get too much Of this into the
feed. This formula makes an excellent one to keep
the youngsters developing and should be kept be-
fore them until they grown.
In addition to the growing food, however. it is 4
necessary that they be fed well-balanced grain
r atiOn and daily allowance Of green food.
For the benefit Of those who desire to mix their
OVID balanced grain might say that a good for
nula will be found as follows; Equal parts Of
wheat. cracked corn. hulled oats one-eighth part
sa of cracked sunf nwer seed miilet and crack ed
Safiir corn. The kaffr is not at all necessary
10 the mixture it has but little nutritive value
but is very attractive to the fowls and greatly rel
shed, This ration should be fed two three
lines day the conditions warrant while one
ieeding of green food each day is sufficient
The balanced grain ration for the older or ma
.ured birds may be identically the same that
ed the little fellows but the various ingredients
ihculd not be cracked save that of cracked corn.
which may be coarser than that given the young
tiers The eRg-aying mash fed to the elder fowls
s but slightly different from the growing mash of
he young chicks. and indeed many persons use
dentieally the same thing with good results as an