Feeding the Hen. 



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STOVEPIPE FEEDERS. 



On sandy land hens will gener- 

 ally find all the "grit" they need. 

 The object in supplying this 

 "grit" is to furnish the sharp 

 little stones which, in the hen's 

 gizzard, grind up the hard food. 

 There is no grit in the little 

 chick as it leaves the incubator, 

 and it must be supplied in the 

 brooder. That is why many 

 poultry keepers keep the bot- 

 toms of the brooders covered 

 with clean, sharp sand. Some 

 of the "chick foods" consist of 

 mixed grains and a quantity of 

 crushed stones, the latter fur- 

 nishing the chicks with the needed "grit"; of course the hens must be 

 supplied with fresh water, for they drink frequently, and we must remem- 

 ber that over 60 per cent of the egg is water. Avoid a drinking dish that 

 the hens can walk into. A covered feeding dish for the mash is best, one 

 that only permits the hen to put in her head. Salt in small quantities 

 helps the hen, but it is a poison when used to excess. It is more necessary 

 when hens are yarded than when they run at large. The proper feeding 

 of a hen can only come through long and patient experience. It "looks 

 easy" but proves a hard job. 



The best feed troughs have a cover which protects the food and 

 prevents the hens from stepping into it. Two good forms are shown at 

 Figs. 32-33. These are hinged at the side or end, so that the cover is easily 

 raised for cleaning. A convenient self-feeding box for shells or grit is 

 shown at Fig. 34. Another simple style of self-feeder appears at Fig. 

 36. This is made from pieces of stovepipe. They are closed at one 

 end, with small holes cut at the side near the bottom. They are hung 

 from the roof by means of wires, so that the 

 bottom hangs near the roost platform. They 

 can be used for feeding charcoal, shells or grit. 

 A drinking fountain made by inverting a tin 

 can over a smaller dish is shown at Fig. 37. 

 For those who do not care to bother with home- 

 made devices, excellent drinking fountains may 

 be had from all dealers in poultry supplies, and 

 they are so cheap and durable that no one need 

 Pjq 3Y be without adequate means for supplying hens 



DRINKING FOUNTAIN. and chicks with pure water. 



