The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1920-09-27
EXPERT
TELLS HOW TO FEED
BALANCED RATION NECESSARY
TO SECURE EGGS SAYS
EXTENSION WORKER.

/
| (By Prem Moore, Poultry Husband
man, University Of Idaho Extension
Division.)
! A properly balance ration is neces-
sary for laying hens, if they are to
lay many eggs. Nor is balance
ration a complicated system of feed
ing.
Many people appear not to realize
the Importance of a balance ration
for hens. The common practice is to
feed whatever happens to be handy,
with no variety whatever, the ration
being composed almost entirely Of
grain.
Grain does not contain, in sufficient
quantities some of the egg properties.
Grains do not supply protein. The
food property of the yolks of eggs is
fat, but the food value of the white
of eggs is protein Protein is con-
vertible into fat, but fat is not con-
vertible into protein. The hen must
be fed protein in sufficient quantity
to make up the necessary require
ments of the eggs. Eggs contain
phosphates which are derived, prin-
cipally, from animal proteins.
OIlueI IdIIu pIdCklCS, ouluiIiCI leu
ing need cause little concern. The
hen can pick up much of her living
and, ordinarily, it is the kind of feed
suitable for egg production. The ad-
dition of small quantity Of coarse
grain may be necessary, and probably
someshell and grit. 1t is always ad-
visable to keep some mash where the
hens have access to it.
Fowls are more or less confined
during winter months. They are
driven in by the severe winter and
for this period, if eggs are expected,
it is necessary to provide, artificially,
as nearly summer conditins IS pos
sible. Give the hens balanced ra-
ton, including plenty of good, green
succulent food, and plenty of grit,
shell and bone. Alfalfa caves, lawn
clippings, cabbage, mangel wurzels
and clover leaves are good green
foods for poultry
Just what constitutes well-bal-
anced ration is less well known for
laying hens than for ther domestic
animals. 1t is essential, however, that
the ration should consist of a proper
proportion of grains to ground feed,
The grains should be fed the greatest
variety possible and fed at the rate
of about eight quarts per day PEI one
hundred hens in deep litter of clean
straw More than this should not be
fed and it may be safe to reduce the
grain ration belw this amour. if the
mash is correct.
The mash should be fed dry in open
feed hoppers and kept before the
fowls at all times. 1t should contain
a variety of feeds, such as bran, fine
ly ground corn, and oats. 1t should al
SO contain abut % per cent of good
quality beef scrap fish meal. Feed
ing as suggested is all that is neces-
sary to insure the fowls getting
properly balance ration When sour
milk or buttermilk is obtainable, it
may be added to the ration with
splendid results.
There is no animal on the farm that
is capable Of turning surplus milk in
to money as is the hen When hens
have all the milk they will drink, the
beef scrap may be reduced by half,
and, with liberal allowance of peas
and plenty of sour milk, the beef
scrap may be reduced even more.
A suggested ration with the use of
peas is as follws:
Grain or Scratch Food-1O parts |
corn, 10 parts peas( slightly cracked) !