90 PROGRESSIVE POULTRY CULTURE 



of boards and the tops are protected by wire netting. 

 The youngest chicks are brooded on these platforms un- 

 til a<bout three weeks old. They are then transferred to 

 the floor pens underneath the platforms. The latter are 

 cleaned, the sand and chaff renewed and newly hatched 

 chicks placed! in the hovers. The frequently renewed 

 sand and chaff keep the pens dry and clean' under foot. 

 By scattering dry granulated 1 or cracked grains and seeds 

 in the litter, the chicks are encouraged to scratch for a 

 part of their living, thereby ensuring the taking of suf- 

 ficient exercise for healthy circulation of blood and 

 good growth of body. 



FEEDING AND FINISHING. 



Add fresh chaff or other litter daily and replace the 

 surface layer of sandl and the broken litter weekly. 

 Pure water is renewed in the fountains frequently 

 enough to keep before the chicks an ample supply in 

 fresh palatable condition. Plenty of grit (granulated 

 'bone is best) and granulated charcoal of bone or wood 

 should >be kept in a hopper always conveniently at hand. 

 A good growing ration, well balanced, as described in 

 the previous chapter (IV, Brooding), is supplied and 

 the chicks induced to eat all they can well digest. 



Green food may be supplied in the form of sprout- 

 ing oats, lettuce leaves, cabbage, chopped onions or 

 onion sprouts, fresh cut apples or, lacking actual green 

 food, use may be madte of cured alfalfa or clover leaves. 



The chicks if properly hatched from eggs of a suit- 

 able breed and vigorous stock should thrive and grow 

 rapidly in the well lighted, airy quarters, enjoying a 

 comfortable temperature day and night, generous but 

 careful feeding, reasonable and not excessive exercise, 

 proper ventilation and cleanliness (preventing foul air 

 and filthiness under foot) and healthiness because of 

 the banishment of parasites and disease germs. 



Before killing, the plump chicks are kept without 

 food! or water for twenty-four hours in a pen or coop 

 where there is no chaff or litter on the floor; They are 

 bled through the mouth, carefully picked to avoid any 



