CHAPTER XII. 



PRACTICE OF POULTRY FEEDING. 



BEFORE discussing the requirements of a successful ration and 

 the practice commonly used in the feeding of poultry, it is well 

 that the design and construction of the feed house be considered 

 and that the equipment be reviewed. 



FEEDING EQUIPMENT. 



The Poultry Feed House. A great many poultry plants, 

 whether small or large, owing to improper facilities for the handling 

 of feed and the mixing of rations, lose large sums of money through 

 waste and labor which could easily be saved by careful attention 

 to better methods. 



In the design and laying out of a poultry plant, one of the 

 things to be considered is the location of the feed house. It should 

 be centrally located on rather high ground, if possible, giving good 

 drainage, and freedom from dampness; it should be easy of access 

 both from the main highway and from the different units or laying 

 houses themselves. In some instances it is desirable to locate the 

 feeding room in the centre of the long laying house, having over- 

 head tracks running from the feeding room directly to the different 

 houses. This is a great labor-saving device, and proves very 

 serviceable in the caring for adult birds in the intensive house. 

 In equipping broiler plants, where a special feed room is required 

 for chick rations, the overhead track system has been found very 

 economical and practical. 



In planning the style and construction, two things should be 

 borne in mind: First, to have the building large enough for the 

 storing of grains and the proper housing of the feeding appliances ; 

 and, second, to have it, as far as possible, proof against mice and rats. 



The feed house is often two stories in height (Fig. 118), with 

 the grain-storage bin located on the second floor and the rations 

 falling through chutes to the lower floor. This gives ample room 

 on the lower floor for the proper arrangement of mixers, grinders, 

 and other appliances. There must be room for feed pails, for 

 drinking fountains, for hoppers, and for storage when needed. 



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