94 PROGRESSIVE POULTRY CULTURE 



been removed from the brooders anid separated into 

 flocks according to sex, is to colonize them on turf or 

 tillage land 1 where theyi can have free range. This plan 

 saves the expense and! inconvenience of fencing. The 

 chickens obtain a good part of their living by foraging. 

 The fresh air, sunshine, green grass, insect-food' and out- 

 door exercise aire all favorable to uninterrupted thrifty 

 growth. Each flock should consist of fifty to one hun- 

 dred chicks of one breed, of about the same age and of 

 like degree of growth and vigor. If they must be con- 

 fined by fences the yards should foe made as large as 

 practicable so that the birds will not feel the restraint. 

 The enclosure should include both grass land and plow- 

 ed land. If the poultrymian> can allow only small yards 

 for his growing chickens, the ground should be fresh- 

 ened frequently by cultivation and cropping. It is well 

 to divide the yard space for each flock ,by a middle 

 fence, thus providing double yards. While the chicks 

 are occupying one yard, grain may be growing in the 

 other which in its turn is occupied by the flock. 



If dogs, cats, hawks or other enemies are likely to 

 invade the enclosures it may become necessary to make 

 the yardis narrow and cover them with poultry netting. 

 Shadie should be provided by means of trees to protect 

 the fowls in summer from the fierce rays of the mid-day 

 sun. If the farm orchard is available it provides very 

 desirable conditions for the growing chicks. The occa- 

 sional cultivation of the soil under the trees is favorable 

 to their growth and gives the chicks fresh soil to scratch 

 in. The chicks destroy many insect enemies of the fruit 

 trees and their droppings furnish the best of fertilizer 

 for promoting the growth of the apple, pear, plum, peach 

 or other kinds of fruit trees. The chickens appreciate 

 and! enjoy the shade of the orchard! and frequently pre- 

 fer to roost in the trees at night rather than 1 stay in 

 houses that lack the pure air, cleanliness and freedom 

 from insect pests of the natural perches. If trees are 

 lacking for the colonies on free range, it may be prac- 

 ticable to plant continuous rows or dlrills of Indian corn 

 in strips two or three rods wide between the ranges. 



