1. Poultry Improvement Contest Rations

2. A Ration is: The feed allowed for a given animal during a 24 hour period, whether it is fed at one time or in portions at different times during the day. A balanced ration: Generally contains more than one feed so proper quantities are essential.

3. Methods of Balancing Rations Three ways to balance rations Pearson Square Least cost balanced ration Computer formulated rations

4. Feeding Standards Tables with feeding standards can be found in the back of texts.

5. Pearson Square Step 1: Determine (using the appropriate table) the percent protein needed. Decide what protein supplement and which grain(s) you will use.

6. Step 1 Example Look up the percent protein needed in a table. A broiler will need a 24% protein from 0-3 weeks. Decide what supplement to feed. For our example we will use a 44% protein soybean meal (SBM).

7. Step 2 Construct a square in the middle of your paper. Put the desired crude protein percentages of the feed in the middle of the square. Put the protein percentages in the left hand corner. Supplement in upper corner. Grain or average of grains in lower corner.

8. 24 44 10.4

9. Step 2 Continued Subtract diagonally and place the differences at the right hand corners. Lower right gives parts of supplement. Upper right gives parts of grain.

10. 24 44 10.4 13.6 20

11. Add the values on the right side of the square. Place the sum below each of the numbers. This represents (in fraction form) the portions of each feed needed to mix the ration balanced for protein.

12. 24 44 10.4 13.6 20 33.6 =.40 = 40% SBM (supplement =.60 =60% corn (grain)