212 PRACTICE OF POULTRY FEEDING 
often be found possible to buy grains in bulk out of season at a 
much reduced price. 
Another great advantage in mixing rations in large quantities 
is that a greater uniformity in feeding is secured than when each 
ration is mixed daily. Unless a great deal of care is exercised, 
there is always a wide variation in the composition when mixed 
in single lots. 
Rations Correctly Fed.—Regularity in poultry feeding is an 
important requisite. The birds become accustomed to a given 
hour and expect their feed at that time. Any variation from this 
order will soon result in a reduced production. 
Having combined the best possible ration, intelligence is re- 
quired in feeding it if the best results are to be obtained. Condi- 
tions in the flock and the season are constantly changing. Cor- 
responding changes in the ration and methods of feeding should 
be made to maintain a uniform condition in health, weight, and 
productivity. 
Grit, Shell, Charcoal, and Salt.—In addition to the rations 
containing the right amounts of nutrients, it is necessary to keep 
before the birds at all times a hopper containing crushed grit. 
This is needed to enable the birds properly to grind and digest the 
grains fed. The function of the grit is to act as “‘ teeth,” and should 
- be extremely hard and angular. As arule, it is found unnecessary 
to supply grit often when the birds have free range. 
Crushed oyster shells should always be available to the birds 
to furnish the lime necessary to form the shell of the newly 
formed eggs. 
Powdered or crushed charcoal is also very desirable, as it acts 
as a cleanser or purifier, cleansing the system and keeping the 
birds in good condition. It is also rich in mineral matter. It may 
be mixed with the dry mash in self-feeding hoppers or fed in 
separate hoppers. It can profitably be used at the rate of five 
per cent by weight in the mash, but less than this is common. 
Salt added to the ration in limited amounts increases pala- 
tability, and hence induces the birds to eat it more readily. Its 
use in large quantities is detrimental. 
SYSTEM OF FEEDING. 
A great many general systems are practised in poultry feed- 
ing, many of which contain good points, many bad. The best 
system. to use in any case will be determined largely by the object 
