214 PRACTICE OF POULTRY FEEDING 



study or attention on the part of the feeder, and it allows the birds 

 themselves a greater freedom in arranging and balancing their 

 own diet. It also allows of perfect cleanliness in feeding. 



Disadvantages. This method is wasteful if not fed in the cor- 

 rect type of hopper; for this reason great care should be used in 

 the making or selection of a hopper. In some instances it has 

 been noted that birds, not accustomed to dry-mash feeding for 

 a considerable period, eat very little, and do not relish what 

 they do eat. This can usually be corrected gradually, and at an 

 early age. 



General Usage. This system is in general use on large com- 

 mercial plants. In most cases it is used to supplement the feeding 

 of cracked grains in litter. It has supplemented or almost entirely 

 taken the place of wet-mash feeding on all egg farms. 



Scratch Feeding of Ground Grains. This method of feeding is 

 very profitably used to supplement the feeding of dry or wet 

 mashes. It may also be used as an exclusive ration when birds 

 show excessive gain in weight, as it induces a larger amount of 

 exercise. When it is desired to check maturity, this method is 

 sometimes employed. To get the greatest benefit, the grains 

 should be scattered in some good scratching material which should 

 be clean and dry and four or more inches deep. It should be coarse 

 enough to hide the feed, but not so coarse or bulky that the birds 

 cannot move it by scratching to find the grains. Materials often 

 used for this purpose are straw, shavings, cut corn fodder, and dry 

 leaves. 



Advantages. There are several advantages of this system of 

 scratch feeding. It induces the birds to exercise, thus increasing 

 circulation and keeping up vigor. It also keeps them in good flesh, 

 especially in the case of old hens, by not allowing them to get too 

 fat. It enables the attendant to study the condition of the birds. 

 Considerable labor is required in feeding by this method, but the 

 general practice of cutting down labor can be carried to an extreme 

 by the use of too many automatic or labor-saving devices. This 

 daily feeding of grain in litter offers one of the general methods 

 whereby the feeder can keep in touch with his flock. 



Disadvantages. During certain seasons of the year the litter 

 may get damp and moldy. After drying, dust is increased in 

 the house while the birds are scratching, and this is apt to cause 

 the development of certain fungous diseases. This trouble can be 

 avoided by the use of clean, sweet litter. 



