488 



ARTIFICIAL PROPAGATION OF GROUSE 



prevent the baby chicks from eating the litter, it is covered with unbleached muslin sheeting 

 for the first few days. Extreme care must be exercised to eliminate any openings into which 

 they may crawl. A movable partition at least 12 inches high is set up in front of the hover 

 and shifted back day by day, as in the batteries. Care should be exercised to make certain 

 that the chicks do not crowd and pile up at night. 



If the weather is favorable, the young chicks started in the colony house may be given 

 access to the outside run for increasing periods beginning with the end of the first week. 

 The 12-day-old chicks brought in from the battery may he allowed in the run as soon as 

 they become accustomed to their new home. Here they walk on iz-o-inch wire mesh floors. 

 One should guard against sudden summer thunder storms and make certain that all chicks 

 are under shelter before the rain begins. 



At three weeks of age low roosts are provided which the birds will use at night if the 

 weather is warm. It is desirable to induce roosting as early as possible. Heat under the hover 

 may be discontinued at the end of the fourth week if weather permits, but the attraction light 

 should remain on at night so that those birds which have not yet learned to roost will not 

 pile up in the corner of the pen. 



Feed and Feeding Techniques 



The feeding equipment necessary for the newly-hatched chicks includes paper towels, a low 

 10-inch metal hopper and a pint mason jar-type water fountain — the latter filled with stones 

 to prevent the chicks from getting in and drowning. Following exhaustive tests, a commer- 

 cial pelleted game bird feed containing 30 per cent protein was found best on which to start 

 the chicks. At first some of the pellets are pulverized and placed in the hopper. Over this a 

 small amount of clean sharp sand or grit is sprinkled. Another portion, likewise pulverized, 

 is slightly moistened with water and mixed with finely chopped lettuce. Then it is sprinkled 

 on damp paper towels as also may be some of the dry feed. Towels and hopper are then 

 placed under or immediately in front of the hover. 



It is not unusual for individuals or groups of birds to refuse to eat. This may be caused by 

 withholding food too long after hatching. Sometimes such birds may be induced to eat by 

 fastening to the sides of the pen several wet towels sprinkled with particles of moist mash. 

 The feed thus placed at about the level of their heads, may be taken accidentally but it serves 

 the purpose since, once started, the birds usually continue to eat. Occasionally, fine char- 

 coal, bits of lettuce or finely chopped soft strawberries sprinkled over the mash also will serve 

 as starters. 



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