THE FEEDING OF POULTRY 



363 



Company. By 



kind of fowl, conditions of keep, etc. The best way is 



to prepare the desired food in given proportions, and then 



feed as much as will be 



eaten with a good appe- 



tite. 



Regularity in feeding 



fowls is essential. On 



many farms the poultry 



must forage for them- 



selves, but under proper 



conditions special feeding 



takes place morning and 



evening. The common custom is to feed early in the 



morning, about noon, and just before they go to roost. 



Regularity of feeding also brings the fowls into intimate 



touch with the poultryman, and enables him to handle 



them and watch their condition to the best advantage. 



Frequency of feeding fowls 

 depends upon the age, condition, 

 and purpose for which they are 

 kept. Young chicks should be fed 

 four or five times daily. The feed- 

 ing of mature fowls varies among 

 poultrymen, some feeding twice 

 and others three times a day. If 

 one has time to look after the 

 stock in detail, three feeds a day 

 for fowls in limited yards will give 



Fig. 201. A feed hopper used at better results than will tWO. 



^SS^^SSSSSffSS: Some use what are called "hop- 



pers" or "self feeders." This 



is a box-like arrangement containing more or less feed, and 

 from which the fowls can eat freely at any time. Hop- 



