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POULTRY CULTURE 



birds reject. Hopper feeders are usually made of wood, but many 

 of the smaller sizes manufactured for sale are of galvanized iron. 

 Drinking vessels. There are two kinds of drinking vessels: open 

 vessels (as pails, pots, pans, and troughs) and closed vessels, of the 

 fountain type. The open vessels are more generally used. If 

 placed where they get the sun and air, six-quart wooden pails are 

 very satisfactory for adult fowls. For indoor use when the sun 

 shines on the drinking vessel for only a short time each day, it is 

 better to use vessels of stoneware, or iron vessels with porcelain 

 lining. The latter cost most, but in ordinary use are almost in- 

 destructible, will last a lifetime, and are the easiest of all to keep 

 clean. For young chickens and ducklings 

 with hens, any shallow dish or pan will 

 answer. Earthen flowerpot saucers are 

 inexpensive and, if not exposed to frost 

 when wet, will last many seasons. For 

 ducks and the larger kinds of poultry, 

 full-sized wooden pails or small tubs or 

 troughs are used. For ducks and geese 

 that are given water only for drinking pur- 

 poses, the drinking vessel should be too 

 heavy to be easily upset, or should be se- 

 cured. On the whole, V-shaped troughs 

 are as satisfactory as any for waterfowl. 

 Drinking fountains are made on the same principle as hopper 

 feeders, and are mostly commercial products. The primitive form 

 is the homemade fountain, made of a tall tin can inverted in a 

 shallow pan or dish of slightly greater circumference, the can hav- 

 ing a few small holes at such distance from the open end as is 

 required to make the water stand at the desired height in the other 

 vessel. The commercial drinking fountains are made of earthen- 

 ware, stoneware, galvanized iron, or glass. The advantage of using 

 drinking vessels of the fountain type depends very much on cir- 

 cumstances. In general, open vessels are preferred, because they 

 are more quickly filled and easier to keep clean. The extra labor 

 of taking care of a large number of drinking fountains will usually 

 more than offset what is gained in reducing the number of water- 

 ings. The best way for the individual poultry keeper to decide 



Fig. 261. Water pails on 

 shelves 



