15 



Utensils. 



For Feeding, — A dry mash hopper should be provided. It 

 may be home-made or one of the many patented ones on the 

 market, as most of them are quite satisfactory. The essential 

 characteristics of a good dry mash hopper are its ejQBciency in 

 preventing the hens from wasting the mash, and its size and 

 cost. A hopper for a dozen hens should hold half a peck at 

 least. A box about 1 foot square and 10 inches deep makes a 

 good hopper. A piece of 1-inch mesh wire stapled to a light 

 frame that fits inside the box and laid on the mash after the 

 box is about two-thirds full allows the hens to eat it through 

 the meshes, but they are unable to scratch it out. A small 

 trough, worn-out basin or something of that kind can be used 

 for w^et mash feeding. 



Water Fountain. — A water fountain for twelve hens should 

 hold at least 2 quarts, and one holding 3 quarts is preferable. 

 A small pail or deep basin 8 or 10 inches across makes a very 

 good drinking fountain. A half-gallon stone jar can be used 

 by adults who handle equipment more carefully than children, 

 but it is easily broken. Water should not be allowed to remain 

 in it over night in freezing weather. There are a large number 

 of water fountains on the market, most of which are satisfactory. 

 Care must be taken to keep the water dish clean. It should 

 be scalded or disinfected regularly. 



Shell and Grit Boxes. — Almost any kind of tin can or box 

 can be used for grit, shell and charcoal; the only objection to 

 the patented devices is the price. The writer has found that 

 the 1-quart tomato cans will answer for this purpose by remov- 

 ing the top and driving a nail through the upper edge of the 

 can for support. 



Receptacle for Droppings. — A container for poultry manure 

 should be provided; a box or barrel with rain-proof cover, put 

 in a convenient place, will answer very well. The cover should 

 fit tightly in order to keep down the breeding of flies and pre- 

 vent odors from escaping. 



Litter. 

 The value of exercise for hens kept in close confinement can- 

 not be overemphasized, and one of the best ways of inducing 

 it is to throw their scratch grain into litter. There are a num- 



