Feeding Young Chickens 1473 



So far as results of experimental work at the Cornell Station are now 

 available, it seems probable that the proportion of beef scrap in these 

 mixtures might be somewhat increased with benefit to the chicks, pro- 

 vided the scrap used were good and wholesome. Opinions differ as to 

 the best method of insuring a plentiful supply of meat food to the chicks. 

 Some poultrymen would add another part of beef scrap to the food mix- 

 tures; others would supply beef scrap in a tray or a hopper after the first 

 two or three weeks, giving a limited amount at first and gradually increas- 

 ing the quantity until beef scrap was before the chicks at all times; 

 still others would allow the chicks all the beef scrap they wished from 

 the first meal. Any one of these methods would probably be satisfactory, 

 as the ration provides plenty of food materials in good proportion and 

 condition. 



Beef scrap should always be carefully inspected before it is fed, in order 

 to make sure that it is free from taint and from mustiness. Sifted beef 

 scrap sometimes becomes musty in storage unless it is kept in a very dry 

 place. In any case, beef scrap should never be supplied to chicks in 

 sufficiently large quantities or under such conditions that it may possibly 

 become musty before being consumed. 



After three weeks the number of meals should be reduced, first to two 

 mash and two grain, then to one mash and two grain; the grain should 

 be fed morning and night and the dry mash should be constantly acces- 

 sible. As soon as the chicks will eat larger grains, the wheat need not 

 be cracked, hulled oats may be used instead of pin-head oat meal, and 

 the corn may be more coarsely cracked. 



When the chickens are eight weeks old the grain ration may be changed 

 to the following: 



By weight 



Corn (large cracked) 3 parts 



Wheat 2 parts 



If it is desired that the chickens shall develop slowly, the moist food 

 may be gradually discontinued after the third week. 



These mixtures may be continued for the growing stock, being fed 

 from hoppers, and clear beef scrap may be added to the ration if desired. 



Adaptation of the ration to conditions. — The above method of feeding 

 has been proved good for large numbers of chicks reared in brooders; 

 it may be adapted to the farmer's flock so that materials that would 

 otherwise be wasted may be given to the chicks. A little cooked break- 

 fast food left from the morning meal may be combined with bread crumbs, 

 a few bits of finely chopped lean meat, or a little hard-boiled egg, and, if 

 bone meal is not at hand, some of the powder from a well-burned bone. 



