212 PRACTICE OF POULTRY FEEDING 



often be found possible to buy grains in bulk out of season at a 

 much reduced price. 



Another great advantage in mixing rations in large quantities 

 is that a greater uniformity in feeding is secured than when each 

 ration is mixed daily. Unless a great deal of care is exercised, 

 there is always a wide variation in the composition when mixed 

 in single lots. 



Rations Correctly Fed. — Regularity in poultry feeding is an 

 important requisite. The birds become accustomed to a given 

 hour and expect their feed at that time. Any variation from this 

 order will soon result in a reduced production. 



Having combined the best possible ration, intelligence is re- 

 quired in feeding it if the best results are to be obtained. Condi- 

 tions in the flock and the season are constantly changing. Cor- 

 responding changes in the ration and methods of feeding should 

 be made to maintain a uniform condition in health, weight, and 

 productivity. 



Grit, Shell, Charcoal, and Salt. — In addition to the rations 

 containing the right amounts of nutrients, it is necessary to keep 

 before the birds at all times a hopper containing crushed grit. 

 This is needed to enable the birds properly to grind and digest the 

 grains fed. The function of the grit is to act as " teeth," and should 

 be extremely hard and angular. As a rule, it is found unnecessary 

 to supply grit often when the birds have free range. 



Crushed oyster shells should always be available to the birds 

 to furnish the lime necessary to form the shell of the newly 

 formed eggs. 



Powdered or crushed charcoal is also very desirable, as it acts 

 as a cleanser or purifier, cleansing the system and keeping the 

 birds in good condition. It is also rich in mineral matter. It may 

 be mixed with the dry mash in self-feeding hoppers or fed in 

 separate hoppers. It can profitably be used at the rate of five 

 per cent by weight in the mash, but less than this is common. 



Salt added to the ration in limited amounts increases pala- 

 tability, and hence induces the birds to eat it more readily. Its 

 use in large quantities is detrimental. 



SYSTEM OF FEEDING. 



A great many general systems are practised in poultry feed- 

 ing, many of which contain good points, many bad. The best 

 system to use in any case will be determined largely by the object 



