xt712j684j41 https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt712j684j41/data/mets.xml   Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station. 1939 journals kaes_circulars_287_02 English Lexington : The Service, 1913-1958. Contact the Special Collections Research Center for information regarding rights and use of this collection. Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station Circular (Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station) n. 287 text Circular (Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station) n. 287 1939 2014 true xt712j684j41 section xt712j684j41 COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE
. Extension Division
THOMAS P. COOPER, Dean and Director
CIRCULAR NO. 287
(Revised)
FEEDING AND MANAGEMENT OF LAYING HENS
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 Circular N0. 287
(Revised)
E FEEDING AND MANAGEMENT OF LAYING HENS
By STANLEY CATON, W. M. INSKO, JR., and A. T. RINGROSE
A satisfactory income from the poultry flock depends upon it
‘ producing eggs not only in the spring but in all seasons of the year.
E lu order to assure high egg production during the late summer, fall
E and winter it is absolutely necessary that hens be fed and managed
g properly. · l
3- . Feed consumed by the laying hen has a two—lold function; it
Dj ` lltllsf first take care of body up—keep and, secondly, supply the ma-
§ terials for egg production. A feed or a combination of feeds may
J" A not he the means of effecting high egg production unless it is bal-
E zmced, or complete, for that particular purpose. Abundance of
$2 green feed, sunshine and relatively mild winter weather aid greatly
Q5 in promoting egg production, but these conditions must be supple-
_, mented with proper feed. Each constituent of the egg must be
5U[)])llC(l in adequate quantity for maximum egg production. The
proportions of the constituents of the egg are indicated in the dia-
gram on the opposite page.
PROTEIN
y .-\n insuihcient quantity of protein in the feed of laying hens, is
i · fhc major limiting factor in feeding for egg production. Two kinds
{ - of protein are used in laying mash, one from animal sources and
the other from plant sources. Animal protein is much superior to
1 plant protein in laying-mash mixtures.
2 pfnizzzal Protein. Meat scrap.* This by-product of the meat-
1 packing industry should be used as the major protein concentrate
ur laying mash, in Kentucky, and should make up 20 percent of the
dry mash, by weight, when used as the only protein concentrate.
Meat scrap also is rich in the bone—building minerals, calcium and
phosphorus, and is readily available, palatable and produces good
results. When meat scrap is the source of protein in the laying
OI Jnggieggrscripaljirglie ground, dry-rendered residue. from animal tiS·Su€S €XCl\1FlV€
¤g¤¤~·¤t¤a»»¤y 1.; g...,d .;..€;‘.‘§ il‘§’;‘§§‘§;_ “3}}f§f§‘i3..Li”‘§,Z?Z,';i..‘§} i?.`Ef€..£l§`°$$¤f?rifS$hi¤°i>?i{
,   ph0$Dh01”iC acid (expressed as 13:05;, it shall be designated MGH?. 8¤d Bone

 l
` l Aenizzc/cy ljxtension (jirctzlar No. 287  
mash, egg production increases as the proportion of meat scrap in V
y the mash increases; however, there is no advantage in exceeding in in PC
1 pounds of meat scrap in each 100 pounds of mash. The appitttt. mm]
mate protein content of meat scrap is 50 to 60 percent. _ IOW j
Milk in all forms is an excellent source of protein for laying t Shoul
hens. Dried or condensed milk is not liberally used by Kentttelt [hm
poultrymen because of its comparatively high cost, altho at eertttiti L St
seasons of the year, especially just previous to and during the hgttdt. of th
ing season, the addition of milk in some form to the poultry diet it more
an excellent practice because it increases the hatchability of the mal)
“gg$· t 5 ort
On many farms skim milk is not available in sufficient anttttttu Si
to be used as the sole source of animal protein. \tVhen there i~ Mm
likelihood of a shortage of milk it is well to have accessible, contittu- I
ously, in a self-feeder, a dry mash containing 5 percent of mem · I
scrap. ln event of a shortage of milk, the proportion of meat strap i;€d_
in the mash should be increased. \tVhen as many as four gztlltnr lhgf
of milk are available daily for 100 hens, 5 percent of meat scrap in y '
the mash is sufficient. \~Vhen only two gallons are available dztilt  
for each 100 hens, the meat scrap should be increased to 10 per . i
cent of the mash. lf the supply of milk should be cut off, the prtt C
portion of meat scrap in the mash should be increased to 20 [)C1`C€lll· WH
Feeding trials at the Kentucky Experiment Station show tllitl folk
when the flock is fed all the milk it will consume, profitable vg; lkml
production results, even if nothing else but grain and lititeslttllt lffm
is fed. ` img]
Liquid skim milk and buttermilk attract flies, the internietliktlt mel
host of the tapeworm, unless particular care is taken to keep tht
feeding utensils clean. ln hot weather it is advisable to put the mill
before the flock by 6 a. m., and leave it there until about I0 :1. tit. _1
ln the middle of the morning the uneonsumed niilk should hc 1* Slo
lll0\'€(l Zllld the pans cleaned thoroly. During the rest of ll1C flill lhcpl
water should be accessible. \\’ht·n milk is not fed thrnont tl1<‘(li"· plml
the mash should contain more meat scrap. » rig];
Dried milk does not attract [lies and may he mixed in thw lnllm  · [6 HI.
mash. One pound of dried milk is equivalent to about three |>0¤ll‘l` . mm
of condensed buttermilk, or nine pounds of liquid skim mill<· Th` thc I
€l1`}'·l1121ll€l` C0l1LCl1t ShOtll(l be considered in determining ivllltll l"llll him
of milk is to be fed. if the milk must be purchased. · (XPC

 ‘ r
Feeding and Management of Laying Hens 5 ·
MP iii Vegetable Protein. The common sources of vegetable protein
iiig 2** in poultry feeds are soybean oil meal, corn gluten meal, linseed oil
’l’i"’Ni· meal and peanut meal. Because vegetable protein concentrates are
low in the mineral elements, calcium and phosphorus, the mash
laying should be supplemented with steamed bone meal which contains
ttucb these elements.
imiiii Soybean oil meal can be used successfully to replace a portion
hiilill · ofthe meat scrap in laying-mash mixtures and its use is becoming
(limi more prevalent. It may replace one—fourth to one—half of the meat
0** ilk strap. One pound of steamed bone meal should be added for each
Sor 6 pounds of soybean oil meal.
mom Since linseed oil meal has a laxative effect, it should not exceed
mf *` 5 percent of the mash.
Engg; _ In cleaning lespedeza seed a mixture ofylow-grade seed and weed
[MHP seed containing about 28 percent of PYOICIH IS left as a by-product.
)_nlhm` lfground to destroy the weed seed, this material may be added to
gal) in the laying mash to replace one-fourth of the meat scrap. Since it is
3(klih it vegetable source of protein, one pound of steamed bone meal
IO IM Should be mixed with each {ive pounds of ground lespedeza seed.
lc Pm Cottonseed meal, if fed in large quantities, reduces hatchability
Cmm_ and lowers the keeping quality of eggs. It frequently causes the egg
W [hm yolk to become mottled or spotted in appearance after the eggs have
HC M lJ€€ii kept in storage for four weeks or more. A safe plan to follow.
mm}.; ii Cottonseed meal is used, is to limit the quantity to 5 percent by
weight of the mash mixture and to use one pound of steamed bone
{mlm _ meal for each 5 pounds of cotton-seed Inekll.
3ep lllt
re mill DISTILLERY BY-PRODUCTS
tl :1. m. _
Mm, i`h<> distillery by—products used in feeding livestock are thick
IW (lm tlep. illlll slop and distillers’ dried grains. The dried grains are tm
llt'(l1\\_ the market as a commercial feed; the hrst two are obtainable by
farmers near a distillery. They are derived mainly from corn and
Tlmim zcyiariiet Which. should be taken into account when feeding them
POlmd_ lioglgh mil of hvestock, The processes of mashing and fermenta-
kl Thi - [hc Hinge ipost of the starch of the gram into alcohol but leave
_h Wm hmclé them, Ht, fiber and- mineral matter practically lunchangetli
l e slop and the dried grains are high-protein leeds. Little
experimental work has been done in the use of these materials for

 i .
` 6 Kcntuc/cy Extension Circular N0. 287
feeding laying hens, so reconnnendations as to their use for this lrtyittgt
y purpose are based on general considerations. R mmi
' Thick slop is the soup-like liquid which remains after the aleoltttl present
has been distilled from the fermented mash, in the nianufactttre ol tll tltet
whisky from grain. It contains about 7 percent of solid ntattet.
'l`his percentage can be increased by permitting it to settle zttttl
drawing or dipping oil the clear liquid front the top. lt] >
Thin slop is the liquid which runs thru the filters when tht '“$lC°h
coarser particles are filtered out of thick slop for making distillt·ts‘ 'lmkcl
dried grains. Tho thin slop has been fed successfully to cattle it it l"""°i¥·
not highly valued   a poultry feed because of the low solids rtttt °°mm_l
tent and the high water content. Thin slop usually contains les Hmm;
than 5 percent; solids. mw Si
'1`hick slop has been used successfully as a poultry feed to replttu A  
as much   one-half of the ground yellow corn in the laying tttztslt. [mk  
Except where all-mash feeding is practiced, the grain and dry ntaslt gl
. . . ttsttallx
should be placed in separate feeders and kept before the flock at ttll I
times. The thick slop may befed in a separate trough or as tt tttl I lll
mash. at noon, by mixing it with an equal amount of the dry tttztslt. lllgml
Strict sanitation is essential when slop is fed to chickens. 'lltt ljlmug
pans should be washed thoroly at least once a day. (jare sltottltl ltr high`?
taken not to spill the slop in the laying house, as it may stay tllttr ltr
unnoticed and tnold or sour. Spoiled slop, if eaten, tnay endttttgtt Swine l
tlte health of the flock. In warm weather flies are attracted by tltt tttpple
slop which often results in an infestation of tapeworms in pottlttt tttttst l.
since [lies are the intermediate host of the tapewortn. Freqttcttl tltis sy
cleaning and sunning of the trough in which the slop is fed leswtr tein st
the trouble front disease and parasites. ttttttal
Some factors to consider regarding the economy of feedi11g>l'Jl’ limi
are cost of slop, thickness of slop, whether it is wholly or ]>2U`ll¥‘lll . lllhfl
SI1`2lil1Ctl, facilities for keeping slop to prevent it from lI1()l(llll${ "'
becoming too sour and whether the feeder is willing to ]>l`?lfllf° (lr
Sll`i('l (`l(`2llllil]USS il] ft)Q(lil1g_ rlilly gH`Q(j[_   ;llly‘_ (li. (lislillCl`\ lll} LIIIWZH
])}`f)(lUClS Ol'] lllC iHL(jl`i()l` (lllillilry ()li gggg Oy (ll] h;l{Ch;ll)ilily' llil\ lllll [hm?
been detertnined. my Oi
Di5lfUr?1‘.€’ Dried Grains consist of lhg Solid pplyliclgg lilterctl tml mum
of lllC SlOp and (l1‘i€(l. The gtlaranleed Ch(5lni(jal analysis is Wllfll V
UU the   {Zig. USllHll>’ il   ;ll)()u[   [O   Pcycclll (lf ])l`i>lf'lll· A fd.
ll of fat and 10 of Hber. The value Or ilislilleig dried graith itu "ttltc

 Feeding and Management of Laying Hens 7 y
Jr this laying mash has not been determined definitely enough to warrant
it recommendation as to its use; however, the quantity of Hber
tlcoliol present indicates that it may be used to replace only a small quantity
ture ol al tlie other protein carrying materials.
natter.
lc {md COMMERCIAL PROTEIN SUPPLEMENTS
ln some cases it is difficult for the poultry raiser to obtain the
ml [hc iiigredients to prepare a mash mixture at home. There are on the
Smlch. iimlget protein supplements which can be readily combined with
lc il i` ll()lllC-gl`O\\’H grain to make a good laying mash. The supplements
Lys ww contain 30 to 32 percent of protein and usually are made up of such
ym lm materials as soybean oil meal, linseed oil meal, corn gluten meal,
meat scrap, dried milk, Hsh meal, wheat bran, wheat shorts, alfalfa
1_Cl)mt_ leaf meal, cod liver oil, salt andlground limestone. ln addition to
F mmhv being a source of protein, certain essential vitamins and minerals
ly mash are provided. Some ground corn, ground oats and oat groats are
pm all usually added to them by the manufacturer.
s a im In buying such materials the poultry raiser should consider the
,],]:1;]], iugredients as stated on the official tag and the hnal cost of pre-
ie Th,. péuiug a laying mash from them. These feeds are usually made of
myd hl, lugh—gratle materials, for adulterations are readily recognizable.
y tlieie "l`wo methods of using the protein supplements are suggested.
idangei Swine poultrymen have had good results from feeding the protein
by the supplement in one hopper and grain in another. Particular care
ionltn. must be taken to be certain that grain is available at all times when
tequent this system of feeding is used. Another method is to mix the pro-
lessen tein supplement with suflicient ground yellow corn or other grains
in make a mash mixture which contains 18 to 20 percent of protein.
ng slay lliis mash should be fed in the same manner as recommended for
iartialli utlier mashes suggested in this circular.
ding er
_» , GRAINS
prauin (vm V y g il ' ` I l l I ` X
lm. bl. · lub lllllllbll much ol the fat of the egg and also much of tht
lm"Wi,, “"'<‘l`§)‘· and lieabgiving parts of the lien’s ration. lt is the griiitl
tliat enables a hen to maintain body weight. Feeding a large quan-
ywlom "*l“<>fg1`ai1i to prevent lull mol; ig based on the principle Of millil-
ns wml lullunce of body flesh.
p1‘t>li'fll· A CMN is the l)]`i]]Cil)[]_1 grain in l)]`2{Q[iCZlll}' all I)UL1ll1`y fC@(l$ U$Cd
lib lll il m llm lllldille western S[Z)_[€$_ Unelgubteclly it is the UIOSL S2llf5fHClOl`Y

 { .
` Z5 Kenttzcky Extension Circular N0. 287
grain because it is relatively cheap, abundant, highly digestible znttl eletne
is relished by chickens. lt should constitute the greater part of tltt hens
‘ grain used in both the scratch grain and mash. Yellow corn is pre · flock
ferable to white because the yellow is rich in vitamin A, delieienq -` more
of which causes certain nutritional disorders. Corn used as tht tztlcit.
g grain feed or as a part of the grain mixture need not be crzteketl; size (
whole corn is eaten readily by the hens and is fed with little waste. _ suppl
When purchasing ground corn for mash mixtures one slittttltl · *<`l`?*l>·
be certain that it is made from the whole kernels. The germ it ]>l`<>l<`
sometimes removed front corn in milling. The resulting corntnetl lllhlll
is not so good for poultry feed, inasmuch as the germ, which hit li
been removed, is rich in vitamins B and E. lllllm
I~V}teat is considered one of the best grains for poultry leetl tttttl. `hfll
if it can be had at a price per bushel not more than 10 cents altttte lmxu
that of corn, may be used to replace part of the corn in the pottltn I lomu
ration. \Vhole wheat may be used in the grain mixture or it mttt (ii
be ground and used in the mash mixture, to replace part ol the _ lllm l
corn. Wlheat does not contain vitamin A, The absence of this that l"l` sl
min causes nutritional roup in poultry. Ulhen wheat or while Clllll ` Cfwli
is used instead of yellow corn, in the poultry ration, green feetl ttl i ttltstt
alfalfa or clover hay should be supplied at all times. mlllil
liurley is relished by fowls and is a very desirable grain to tttltl _ U
g to the mixture, when not too high priced, It may compose ¢1llf·  
tenth to one—third of the grain mixture. tmpl
Rye is unpalatable and tends to cause sticky droppiugx ll Cgglfil
SllOlllCl _llC\'Cl` be used in the grain mixture but may be grouutl illlll in SOI
used in the dry mash to replace not more than 5 percent ttl the nm )
WhC2ll llllX€(l feed. The green rye plant is highly palatable 1lI1*’lllll° ami ll
which coinposes the shell. Ol course there are many diilerent ttml V mallll
erals in the egg but calcium and phosphorus are two iinpomttt  

 Feeding and Management of Laying Hens 9
>le zuul t €l€lll€ll[S.* Calcium is supplied in suflicient quantity to the laying
of tht hens if oyster shell or limestone chips (yl inch) are kept before the
is prt- flock constantly. Kentucky limestone, except that which contains
iciehci more than 5 percent of magnesium carbonate, is a good source ol
as thi V calcium for laying hens, provided most of the particles are from the
tacked; size of wheat grains to the size of shelled corn. Phosphorus is
waste. supplied in sufficient quantity in the ground bone present in meat
Symp  z wrap, il this is the source of protein in the laying mash. .»\ vegetable
wm ix f prtiiein source, such as soybean meal, is dehcient in mineral and
Nlllml should be supplemented with bone meal to make up the deficiency.
ph mi The mash mixtures suggested in this circular contain sullicient
minerals, except calcium which is amply provided by the oyster
Jlmld. shell or limestone always kept before the flock. Complex mineral
xablm, mixtures. such as those widely advertised, are not necessary if the
lmlm lorniulas given in this circular are used.
it my Grit. Pullets raised on range pick up enough grit to last them
Ut [hl, thru the laying year. ln order to serve permanently in the gizzard
ligyim, lor grinding, grit must be hard and insoluble in digestive juices.
tectwrn Creek-bed gravel serves quite as well as quartz or mica grit. and
tw] (,1 Often can be had at no cost. Experiments show that grit is not es-
sential for growth and egg production.
to ath! · I,inn:stoue, Calcite and Oyster Shell are readily soluble in the
M {mp ]>tt1g embryos and the chicks l)l`(')CllI·CC(l ntityr ll2l\‘€ \'€1`}‘
it legs, parrot beak and retracted head. T lns condition may be
i l’l`C"€¥ll€(l by the inclusion of at least 50 percent of wheat miCl· E E
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 1
Feeding and Munrzgenient of Laying Hens ll -
WATER
Since the egg is nearly two-thirds water, water is an essential
V; part of the poultry ration tho often a neglected part. Egg produc-
; tion will be lessened unless the hens are supplied at all times with
.   fresh, clean WQILCI`, or are given all the milk they will drink. The
l   water pans or utensils should be kept clean by frequent scrubbing,
  for disease may be spread thru hlthy drinking water. Fresh, cool
g    [ water should be put before the flock frequently in hot weather and
E   the water containers should be in a shady place. ln the winter the
fl   water should be warmed. 'l`he poultry flock should not drink stag-
, g nant water from small pools or ponds because of the danger of
    spread of disease.
l   SUCCULENT FEED
    Green feed is desirable for the laying flock because it supplies
    tertain essential [ood factors known as vitamins, as well as some
l   important mineral elements. lf wltite corn is used in the grain mix-
  ture and connnercial corn meal (without the germs) in the mash,
  green feed is practically a necessity. If yellow corn is used as grain
  tuttl ground yellow corn (germ as well as starchy portion) in the
l   tuash, green feed is not so essential in feeding laying hens. How-
  ever, green feed deepens the yellow color of the egg yolk. lt is [
  well known that green feed is essential for the breeding hens, as
  its use increases the hatehability of the eggs.
  ln Kentucky, a good clover or alfalfa pasture, supplemented by
é tt patch of green rye, will provide the flock with ample succulent
  feed thruout most of the year. lf, in addition to the pasture, the
  llock is given access to alfalfa, clover, or korean lespedeza hay, espe-
  tially when the weather is such that the flock remains close to or i11
  the house, the green feed requirements of the flock will be tlltjl.
  . Sprouted oats, cabbage, and beets are sottrces of succulenee for
  . tlte laying flock. Mangel beets and sugar beets, tho succulent. do
  not supply the vitamin factors found in green feed and hence are
E not pzn·ticularly advantageous.
  PASTURE
  lf the poultry flock is allowed range. the hens should be able to
Q ltutl green feed some place about the farm thruout thc year. except
_` for a few weeks in mid-winter. Some farmers prefer to fence the
poultry flock and rotate the yards or pasture fields. This is a satis-

 l ‘ .
` 12 Kentucky Extension Circular N0. 287
factory practice which not only assures green feed thruout most ol
t the year but also aids in the control of soil—borne diseases and pant
sites, principal among which are coccidiosis and intestinal worms.
T For a system of yarding, the poultry house should be in the cemct
of a field divided into three or four equal areas. The flock is to lit
kept. a year in each yard, in rotation. The yards or areas not mc-
cupied by the chickens may be used as pasture for other livestock in
cultivated in a suitable rotation.  ·
Bluegrass is the best sod for such a range, especially if it cont;tin~ I
some white clover. Another sod satisfactory for pasturing poultry
the year round, may be obtained by sowing a mixture of orcliartl
grass, lf) pounds; redtop, 5 pounds; sweet clover, 5 pounds; liorczut
lespedeza, 5 pounds; and japan clover, 3 pounds. This amount. 25 `
pounds, is sulhcient to seed one acre. The following schedule mul
be followed to maintain a clean range; '
lst Year - - Poultry range
2nd Year - - Corn or tobacco or garden
3rd Year - - Small grain followed by grass
4th Year - — Meadow (calf pasture)
5th Year » - Repeat the schedule 2
DESIRABLE GRAINS
Any of the following grains or grain mixtures will be iountl
satisfactory. In determining which grain or combination of gr;tin~
to use, cost, quality, and availability should be considered.
. Pounds Quarts
1. Shelled yellow corn ............................ 100 60
2. Corn .......................................................... 50 30
Wheat ........................................................ 50 26
3. Corn .................. . .......... . ................,.. . .... 70 42 `
Oats (heavy) ..............._...r...............i.....r 30 30
4. Corn .......................................................... 50 30 .
Wheat; ........................................................ 25 13
Oats theavyt .............i.......................... 25 25 `
5. Corn ....................... . .................................. 40 24
Barley ........................................................ 20 13*: _
Wheat ........................................................ 20 10*
Oats (heavy) .......................................... 20 20

 » I
Feeding and Management of Laying Hens 13 ‘
OSI 01 DRY MASH MIXTURES
P4]? 1. Wheat mixed feed ............................ 300
mm" Ground corn ,..................................... 100
Meat scrap .......................................... 100
Cem] Salt .............................................,.....,.... 5
U, IN Fish liver oil*
OL 0c-
wk 0) 2. Wheat mixed feed A ..,........................ 200
‘ Ground corn ..............i......................... 200
. Meat scrap .i..................................,..... 100
. . Salt ..............................................,....,.... 5
"*¥*"" Fish liver oil*"
oulln
`(jlllllil 3. Wheat bran .................................i...... 100
www e Wheat middlings or shorts .......... 100
‘ ‘ Ground corn ...................................... 100
m. 25 Ground oats ........................................ 100
(_ mm Meat scrap .........,...........,.................... 100
5 Salt ........................................................ 5
Fish liver 0il*
4. Ground yellow corn ........................ 500
Wheat bran ........................................ 500
VS/'heat middlings or shorts ............ 500
Meat scrap .......................................... 300
Dried buttermilk or skim milk ,... 100
Alfalfa leaf meal ............................ 100
Salt ........................................................ 20
Fish liver oil*
i"“'“| 5. Ground yellow co1·n .......................... 500
gtntiiir Wheat bran ........................................ 500
' Wheat middlings or shorts .......... 500
Meat scrap .................................,........ 200
Soybean oil meal ........................i..... 100
Dried buttermilk or skim milk .... 100
Alfalfa leaf meal .............................. 100
Steamed bone meal .......................... 20
Salt ........................................................ 20
Fish liver 0il*
6. Ground yellow corn ............,...,.,....... 460
` Wheat bran ..............,......................... 400
Wheat middlings or shorts .......... 500
Meat scrap ...............,.......................... 140
Soybean oil meal .............................. 140
Dried buttermilk or skim milk .... 200
Alfalfa leaf meal .............................. 100
Steamed bone meal .......................... 40
· Salt ........................................................ 20
Fish liver oi1*
' SFF Daze 14.

 l
l 14 Kentucky Extension Circular No. 287
Any one ol the dry mash mixtures may be led along with shelletl .
` corn or any of the grain mixtures suggested. ( (Pi
n V These mashes have one thing in COIIIIHOH, namely, each eoil. Ll;
( tains anitnal protein, either in the form ol meat scrap or mill   LIN
Feeding trials have shown that unless there is some lorm of animttl 1
protein in the mash, little or no advantage is gained by using a masli
mixture. "
Mixtures Nos. 1, 2 and 3 should be used when hens have somt  A
range and green leed. \~\’heat mixed leed may be substituted lot V T
the bran and shorts in any mixture. The ground corn should tion-
sist ol the entire grain not too iinely ground. Mixtures Nos. 1,5
and 6 should be used when hens are kept in conhnement or semi- ’
conhnement. The lormulas are given [or ton lots, since many locztl
millers are glad to mix open—lormu1a leeds when they are wtttitctl of
by a number of poultrymen in the community. The allalla lcztl
meal largely replaces green leed which hens on range can get.
In preparing these mash mixtures care should be taken (1) tit
select. high—grade materials, (2) to use ingredients in correct propor rt
tions, (3) to 1nix ingredients thoroly.* .-\11 lumps of salt should lit gu
broken. (jod liver oil should be mixed with a small portion ol tlit thi
ground corn when it is to be mixed in the mash and then tlti~ jug
ground corn and cod liver oil thoroly mixed with the rest oi tlltf no
ingredients. ll the grain is to be led in hoppers or \'-slittpttl tltt
troughs, the cod liver oil may be mixed with the grain. V
msu LIVER OIL “'*‘
The use ol` cod liver oil or other {ish liver oil is reeomnicittlctl  
when hens are coniined during the winter and [or at least :1 tttolilll lil;
before the time that eggs are to be saved lor hatching and tltttiils P0
ll1C CHtil`€ l12tLCl1i1lg season. The value oi eotl liver oil or otllCl` li~lt gr;
oil for poultry feeding is dependent upon its vitamin D content. _
The vitamin U content is expressed in terms ol` .~\.O..-\.(l. tltitl
units** oi vitamin D per gram of oil. which means that the potetttl
ol the oil has been determined by definite feeding tests with dtitl fol
CNS. .·\ll C<>(l li\`Cl` oil or iisli liver oil lntyr poultry l_Q(j(lll]g slltllilillli wl
purchased on the basis oi its .—\.()..~\.C. chick unit guarautil lll . ho
vitamin 1) oils most generally available contain S5 to 100 .·\·(l-·\·(t‘ lm
74-TE no feed l`K`|lX9I` is B.\'i1ll2i.bl€