THE RELATIVE VALUE OF VARIOUS POULTRY FOODS.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2475, 13 March 1882, Page 4

THE RELATIVE VALUE OF VARIOUS POULTRY FOODS.

Wo have frequently been asked our opinion on the value of maize as food for poultry, and have always been opposed to its unlimited use, baaing our theory on the fact, that in a warm climate like that of Victoria any food which has a tendency to overheating, or causing the accumulation of fat, must prove prejudicial. Indeed, it is well known that we have always attributed much of the liver disease to which fowls are subject in this colony to the almost universal use of maize. The following table, which was originally published in the “ Poultry Diary,” shows the relative value of all the materials used as poultry food ; and although for our purpose buckwheat and hempseed might have been omitted, as the former is seldom or never used in Victoria, and the latter is only given for the purpose of occasionally stimulating birds or getting them into show condition, we prefer to give the table in its entirety. Wo regret that sunflower seed is not included in the list, as its value as a poultry food has been highly spoken of latterly, more particularly in America, where it is largely grown for the purpose. Prom some slight experiments we are inclined to think that its true value is as a conditioning agent, though if used in conjunction with other foods it will no doubt be of much benefit to the poultry keeper. The following is the table :

It will be seen from the above that maize possesses more fat or oil than any of the other foods, oatmeal, pollard, and oats coming next. Wheat contains only three parts as compared with eight in maize, and is therefore a much safer staple food. Bice is valueless, as It does not contain either bone or egg-producing material, while potatoes do not rank much higher. Of course it must always be borne in mind that these articles are spoken of as “ separate ” foods, but it is not intended to convey the idea that they are not to be used in conjunction with each other; indeed the reverse is the object desired to be attained, and it our readers will carefully study the table, and either mix or vary their diet so as to eupply a reasonable amount of each substance according to the natural requirements of their stoex, they will have mastered the secret of poultry feeding.

Thoro is in every 100 parts by weight of 1 Flesh-giving mai terial. Warmth giving and fattening material. Bono making O rO £ o M S H 0> 1 Fat or Oil. A c3 U2 mineral substances. Peas k beans 25 2 48 2 3 15 Oatmeal ... 18 6 63 2 2 *9 Pollard 18 6 53 5 4 14 Oats 15 6 47 2 20 10 Wheat 12 3 70 2 1 12 Buckwheat 12 6 58 14 11 114 Barley 11 2 60 2 14 H4 Maize 11 8 65 1 5 10 Hempaeed... 10 21 45 2 14 8 Eice 7 trace 80 a trace — 13 Potatoes ... 64 — 41 2 — 50 Milk H 3 5 0i — CO 's