1464 



The Cornell Reading-Courses 



The number should not be dropped at once from five to three, but should 

 be changed first from five to four, then from four to three, chicks in 

 confinement being given for a day or two a little chopped onion or other 

 well-hked food at the usual feeding time. This attention will pre- 

 vent restlessness, and may avert serious trouble and loss from crowding, 

 toe-pecking, or other disturbance. 



Constant supply of clean water. — Fowls seem to crave a large 



quantity of moisture, especially 

 when eating dry food or rations 

 rich in protein. Serious results 

 may follow if this moisture is 

 not obtainable. It is often 

 observed that when hens are 

 deprived of their water-supply 

 for even a short time, the sub- 



B 



Two styles of water fountain suitable 



Fig. 203 . . . 



for chicks. A is more desirable than B because sequent loss in egg-production 

 in the latter, chicks may crowd into the open- . 1 ^ -pi annarpnt 



ings and be unable to get out. To fill the faun- ^^ marKeO. ine apparent 



tain, turn the top part upside down, fill it, cover effect on the growth of the 

 it tightly with the pan, and reverse the fountain ^^icks-is not SO immediate, but 



when once their water fountain becomes dry they will show their dis- 

 comfort by constant efforts to drink. Chicks left too long in an incu- 

 bator seem to suffer greatly from thirst. The water-supply should be 

 fresh, clean, and constant, and should be furnished in vessels that will 

 not allow the down of the chicks to become too wet. Drinking 

 water may be sup- 

 plemented, but not 

 superseded, by skim- 

 med milk. 



Two styles of water 

 fountain are shown in 

 Figs. 203 and 204. 

 The fountain should 

 be large enough to 

 contain at least a half- 

 day's supply of water, 

 sufficiently light to be 

 handled easily, strong enough to be durable, of such a foiTn that it may be 

 washed and scalded without difficulty and will be easy to fill, large enough 

 to enable a considerable number of chicks to drink at the same time, and 

 shaped so that the chicks cannot perch on it and foul the water. A service- 

 able drinking fountain may be made from a tomato can and a pie tin. 

 The tin should be large enough so that the space between its edge and the 



Fig. 204. — Detail of water fountains. The small braces in 

 the pan of A are not desirable because of the greater danger 

 of spilling the water when reversing the fountain after filling 



