154 



EQUIPPING THE POULTRY HOUSE 



oftener than once every two or three weeks, depending, of course, 

 upon the number of birds having access to it. 



To be labor saving it should be automatic, in that it is self- 

 feeding; as the birds eat the mash away from the opening, other 

 material should gradually come down. While this feature is 

 attempted, in a great many types of hoppers the mash is found to 

 clog, and it requires considerable attention to keep the mash feed- 

 ing properly. Hoppers with small throats and extensive taper to 

 the sides have a tendency to clog in this manner. 



The feeding surface should be provided with a hinged cover, so 

 arranged as to admit of closing it when desired. It is best to leave 



the hopper open only a few 

 hours of the day, in the case 

 of fat hens of the heavier 

 breeds. It is often well to 

 close the hopper at night to 

 keep out rats. 



It is important that the 

 hopper should be nonwasting. 

 The practice of feeding dry 

 mash in self-feeding hoppers 

 is usually one of the most 

 efficient feeding methods, pro- 

 vided the right hoppers are 

 used; but if the birds while 

 eating waste the mash it is a 

 most inefficient practice. 



The hopper should be easily 

 and quickly filled. 

 It should be long enough so that a number of birds can feed 

 from it at one time. 



The top should slope to prevent birds from roosting upon it. 

 Types of Hoppers. — There are a great many types of commer- 

 cial hoppers for sale by leading poultry-supply houses, represent- 

 ing a great variation in efficiency and cost. Most of these com- 

 mercial hoppers are made of metal and are of limited capacity, 

 and there are very few types which fulfil all the requirements out- 

 lined above. The average poultryman can construct a hopper of 

 wood at a low cost which will meet all the requirements. Figure 

 102 shows a good type of home-made hopper for the laying house. 

 In constructing a hopper, the size should be determined by the 



Fig. 102. — A home-made dry-mash hopper, 

 feeding from both sides, for large flocks. 



