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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