152 



COMMERCIAL POULTRY RAISING 



Mash Hoppers. — Assuming that a dry mash is fed, and this is 

 conceded to be the most advanced method of feeding poultry, 

 there is no economy in placing it before the fowls in small quan- 

 tities, which necessitate filling the hoppers every day. Self- 

 feeding, reliable, sanitary, non-wasteful hoppers of sufficient size 

 to store large quantities, say, two or three hundred pounds, or 



a week's supply, should be pro- 

 vided. 



There are no limitations to 

 the style and construction of 

 dry mash hoppers, any more 

 than they should be as simple 

 as possible, both for the birds 

 to eat from, and for the atten- 

 dant to fill, and care should be 

 taken that the mash cannot be 

 wasted by the fowls dragging 

 it out on the floor with their 

 beaks. Neither should they be 

 allowed to scratch in it, nor 

 foul it in any way, as they are 

 prone to do if the hoppers are 

 not fitted with lids or covers. 

 Hoppers having slatted sides 

 with openings just large enough for the birds to enter their heads, 

 and fitted with a lip on the inside to prevent waste, are among the 

 best types. They may be built as long and as high as desired, 

 cheaply constructed, and made for both indoor and outdoor use. 

 Shell Boxes.— In addition to dry mash hoppers, each pen 

 should be equipped with a box for oyster shells and grit. These 

 need not be large affairs, but convenient and accessible, sanitary 

 and non-wasteful. The supply houses carry a wide assortment of 

 them, built mostly of galvanized iron. 



(Courtesy Kansas Experiment Station) 



Fig. 107. — Indoor mash hopper for use 

 against a wall. 



