THE FEEDING OF POULTRY 



509 



substances play a part in nutrition. Robinson, however, 

 believes that in "good feeding of mixed rations," under range 

 conditions young birds get all the mineral elements they 

 require, and adult birds all they need, except for producing 

 egg shells. He does not 

 think grit is necessary, 

 and since 1902 has fed 

 none to poultry, except 

 in the first feeds of young 

 ducks and geese. Gran- 

 ulated charcoal is fre- 

 quently used, being re- 

 garded as valuable for 

 correcting sour stomach 

 and other forms of indi- 

 gestion. Some poultrymen think charcoal is a blood purifier. 

 Water for fowls should be clean and pure. Drinking 

 fountains in which clean water may always be found are 



Figure 247. Cheaply made drinking foun- 

 tains. These are jars filled with water and 

 turned with mouths down in pans of water. 

 Photograph from Ohio State University. 



Figure 248. A feed hopper and covered water pan at left. Photograph from 

 Prof. F. S. Jacoby. 



commendable. Fowls are rather frequent drinkers, and 

 should always have plenty of clean water available. In win- 



