228 



On comiiiii: out of nest, feed chicks on bread soaked in milk and squeezed dry, 

 or give dry bread crumbs. 



After a few days give chicks all the}^ can cat, as often as they will eat, of bread 

 and milk, or bread-crumbs. 



Afler second day give milk or water in shallow pans for drink. 



Be careful bread is not fed too sloppy or looseness will follow. 



If chicks appear sick or drooping look for lice. Dust with insect powder 

 careful I}-. 



After two weeks feed wheat sparingly at first, afterwards all they can eat, 

 particularly at night. Vary with ciu>hed corn. 



Be careful the chicks arc not stinted of food or they will become stunted. 



Eeniember that a chick stunted in first five weeks of its lite will never make a 

 ]-)Iump foAvl. 



If the hen and chicks are placed in small coops the latter should be cleaned 

 every day, or second day. As the early chicks grow large they should be removed 

 irom the younger ones, or the latter will be crowded and make no progress. 



HOW TO MATE THE DIFFERENT BREEDS. 



Brahmas. — One male with seven females, A cockerel w^ith two 3'ear old hens 

 if possible. 



Plymouth Mocks. — One male; nine females. A young bird with two year old 

 hens preferred. 



White Leghorns. — One cockerel with eleven two or three year old hens. 



Houdans. — One male, nine or eleven females. 



Black Minorcas. — Same as Leghorns. 



Langshans. — Same as Brahmas. 



Mixed Fowls. — One male with nine or eleven females. 



Wyandottes. — One male with nine females. 



The above embraces the best known breeds. Where only one sort is kept and 

 the fow^ls have unlimited run, a greater number of females may be allowed. Eggs 

 are fertile after fowls have been mated about ten days. 



TREATMENT OF LAYING STOCK. 



Keep hens wai-m enough so that their combs will not fi-eeze. 

 Take chill off water and warm the grain in cold weather. 

 Keep hens active by throwing grain among straw" on flooi-. 



Give meat in regular supply, warm mess in morning and regular supplj' of grit, 

 gravel, &c. 



Supply what the hens oan pick up for themselves when outside. 

 Send laj'ers to roost with their crops full to carry them over night. 

 Do not give layers soft feed enough to goige them, or make them lazy. 



MISCELLANEOUS. 



Jb'or layers choose White Leghorns ; for general purposes, Plymouth Rocks ; for 

 both Wyandottes. 



Do not continue to inbreed, or the stock will decrease in size, stamina and value. 



Get rid of the three and four year old hens; keep the pullets; eat or seJl the 

 cockerels. 



Give the poultry as fair a trial as would be given a new kind of seed, vegetable, 

 breed of horses or cattle. 



Utilize the grain, vegetable and meat waste of the farm by converting it into 

 poultry and eggs. 



