320 



COMMERCIAL POULTRY RAISING 



behooves the poultryman to investigate his feeds very carefully. 

 Grain which has heated in the bin, or allowed to become damp and 

 mildewed, is the equivalent to so much poison. Bear this point 

 in mind if you are offered cheap grain, because it is likely that 

 the grain has suffered some such deterioration, hence the reduced 

 price. Bargain foods are usually inferior goods, and the most 

 expensive in the long run. It pays to get reliable stuff from a 

 responsible dealer, and then to store it properly so that it will 

 not spoil. 



(.Courtesy Purdue Experiment Station) 

 Fig. 211.— An orchard makes an ideal location for growing chicks. 



Finely broken grit and oyster shells should be kept before the 

 chicks at all times after they are a week old. It is best not to 

 put these articles before them in hoppers until this time, because 

 some of the chicks are likely to mistake the grits for food and gorge 

 themselves forthwith. As previously mentioned, the early 

 feedings of soft food should be sprinkled with the grit; sharp 

 sand will answer the purpose. 



If charcoal is not included in the mash, it is well to keep this 

 before the chicks along with the grit and shells, also a box of 



