30 



be scattered in the chaff, and the little chicks will work aw^ay most of the day for it. 

 TJii^ gives them exercise, which is a necessity in rearing chicks. If there is no 

 green, food to reach, it must he supplied. Lettuce is excellent. Sprouted grains are 

 very good, as is also root sprout, cabbage, rape, etc. 



When the chicks get to be about eight weeks of age, we usually feed three 

 times a day— the mash food in the morning and whole wheat and cracked corn at 

 noon and night. If we are anxious to force the chicks, we give two feeds of mash 

 and increase the animal meal a little. 



Chicks hatched at a season of the year when they can range out of doors need 

 not be fed as often or as carefully as described above. During the winter season 

 where chicks are reared indoors too liberal feeding often causes leg weakness, etc. 

 In such cases, sweep away the snow and do your best to get the chicks out on the 

 ground. Feed but very little hard grain and use mostly wet mashes. Use as much 

 cooked or raw vegetables as chicks will eat. 



Close confinement, poor ventilation and feeding of large quantities of hard or 

 dry chick foods to winter broods of chicks have given us very poor results. Watch 

 the chicks, and when you notice some of the largest getting weak on their legs, 

 reduce the hard feed and get them out of doors if possible. 



We have used for several seasons the hopper plan of feeding chicks during the 

 spring and summer months with good success. We have tried placing a hopper or 

 trough of chick feed, made of g-rains as previously described (seed chick-feed), in 



Fig. 19. This cut shows the method of Brooding, etc. 



a coop along with the hen and chicks, and keeping the supply constant in or near 

 the coop, from the day the chicks were put out until well grown, with most satis- 

 factory results. Where chickens have a good range about the fields of the average 

 farm I know of no better plan of feeding chicks. The hoppers may be made of any 



