132 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Jan., 



dry grains and beef scraps from feed hoppers kept constantly 

 filled, provided the chicks can run upon grass range. There 

 will be seen no rushing and trampling crowds of chicks, but a 

 contented and lively set of youngsters that are plump, healthy 

 and happy, although on free range, where some people think 

 they are likely to run all the flesh off their bones ! They will 

 also find time to dig holes in the dirt, lie under the shade of the 

 trees and enjoy life. He will be surprised at the rapid growth 

 of his stock, if it has any ' grow ' in it. More of this when we 

 speak of results. Do not get the idea that an experienced poul- 

 tryman cannot produce like good results with his mashes, for 

 he certainly can. However, let a beginner start with mashes 

 and they will often become ' messes,' and more chicks will 

 drop out of the race than if he adopts the plan that I pursue 

 with mine. 



" Have plenty of grit where the chicks can pick it up for 

 their first meal. Get your miller to mix together one part of 

 good sound wheat to two parts good sound corn and crack 

 them a little finer than common cracked corn. Put a small 

 heap of this in the front of. the brooder, and beside it a small 

 heap of dried beef scraps, from which the coarser pieces have 

 been sifted out; this sifting out of the coarse pieces to continue 

 till the chicks are big enough to eat the scraps as they come 

 to hand, li you have skimmed milk, keep the youngsters on 

 that for a drink until they become a little tired of it, which 

 may be in two or three weeks ; you can let them have their 

 choice between milk and water. If there is not a green sod 

 for them to pull and work at when they get into their second 

 week, chop up some onions, or lettuce, or cabbage, and let 

 them have some once a day. Get them out on the ground as 

 soon as there is a blade of green grass to be seen pushing 

 up through the sod. 



" You can carry the birds along on the ration of half wheat 

 and half cracked corn, with the beef scraps added, until the 

 pullets are about half grown, say ten to twelve weeks old, tljen 

 the grain ration is gradually changed by the introduction of 

 the best grade of oats till in a couple of weeks it will be a 

 fourth oats, a fourth wheat, and half cracked corn, and on 

 this ration they are left to grow to full maturity. The addition 

 of oats to the hoppers is to strengthen the body-building side of 

 the ration, oats being the best body-builder of all the grains. 



