FEEDING UTENSILS

Evening Post, Volume CXIX, Issue 128, 1 June 1935, Page 28

FEEDING UTENSILS

Many types of feed troughs are seen on different farms, but the best appears to be the old V-shaped wooden trough. These troughs must be wide enough to prevent wastage when feeding out wet mash, yet not so wide that the birds will scramble into them whilst feeding. Sufficient length of trough must be allowed for the number ofabirds in the pen, and roughly about four inches of feeding space should be allowed each bird, excepting in small pens, when up to eight inches should be allowed. There is one important point in the construction of troughs which is riot fully appreciated on most plants. The end part of the trough should extend at least two inches over all edges of the V. Thus, when the trough is hurriedly kicked over before and after feeding out, the only part of the trough which touches the ground -will" be" the' two end pieces. Unless the ends are larger than the trough proper, the long edges of the V will catch the legs,of the birds. Use six- and five-inch dressed timber placed at right angles for troughs up to eight feet in length, and white pine will be found light and durable for inside feeding.

Some poultrymen prefer a flat trough something like a tray, but such are not really suitable except for very large flocks. They are unsuitable in that the last few crumbs of the mash will be spread out, whereas in the V trough these collect together arid will be more readily eaten up. Use long nails through the end of the trough to the sides and also at frequent intervals when joining the two boards to form the V in order to give strength, and soft timber must be used to avoid splitting. -~.'■ Watering devices vary considerably, but that recently introduced by Mr. A. Norman, of Masterton, is easily the best the writer has seen. Mr.' Norman discovered that the usual galvanised iron containers rust in time, owing, probably, to some acid produced by the frequent drinking of the birds, and instead of an iron container, he now uses an earthenware dish under the dripping tap. This dish is contained inside a sort of sink which leads to a dry sump outside the pen. Another good tyoe of watering system is in use at the Hutt Valley Poultry Farm. Uniformity of flocks, buildings, and utensils is most important on a poultry plant, as then spares can be kept which will fit all pens.