206 PRACTICE OF POULTRY FEEDING 



specialty of egg production, with market broilers and dressed 

 poultry on the side, may require under average conditions the 

 following equipment in the feed room : Caldron, dry-mash mixer, 

 vegetable cutter, hay cutter, bone cutter, and power. 



Caldron. A cooker or steamer is useful for the cooking of hot 

 mashes during the winter, in the preparation of special mashes 

 for special feeding purposes, and in heating or scalding any 

 moldy or partially injured grains to restore their feeding value. 

 Water may be heated in it for the scalding of utensils. Such a 

 caldron should be of from thirty to fifty gallons capacity and 

 strongly built. 



Dry-mash Mixer. On plants where a large number of birds 

 are fed and where such materials as green cut clover and ground 

 bone are used in the mashes, it is necessary to mix them daily; 

 where this is done a good power mixer will save labor. Most of 

 these mixers are similar to a baker's dough mixer. An important 

 feature in the mixer is that the basin can be easily emptied. The 

 floats or mixers should do the work thoroughly and quickly. 



On small plants such an equipment is not required. One of 

 the most economical methods is to mix the ration on the floor by 

 means of scoop shovels, mixing from 500 to 1,000 pounds at one 

 time and storing it in bins ready for use. 



Vegetable Cutter. A vegetable cutter is often used if many 

 vegetables, such as beets, are fed. Birds seem to relish them better 

 and eat more of them if they are finely cut and fed in troughs; 

 there is less waste but more labor than if they are fed whole. 



Hay Cutter. Fresh clover, alfalfa, and other green, succulent 

 materials are often run through a hay cutter, which can also be 

 used for the cutting of dry hay, such as alfalfa, and straw for litter. 



Bone Cutter. In localities where it is possible to secure a supply 

 of fresh bones, it may be well to have a power bone cutter. Some 

 forms can be used either for dry or green bones. Cut bones pro- 

 vide a very economical source of animal protein and ash. 



Power. A plant large enough to warrant the extensive equip- 

 ment as outlined should have some source of power to run the 

 machines. The gasoline engine will doubtless prove the cheapest 

 and best on a farm. Near large centres of population an electric 

 motor will probably supply the power more cheaply. In the equip- 

 ment of the feed room an effort should be made to reduce the labor 

 item to a minimum. This will allow one man to care for an in- 

 creased number of birds; in other words, it will lower the labor 



