Food for Little Chickens 209 



delicate organisms and require careful handling 

 and suitable food, particularly during the first 

 few days of their existence, or until they become 

 strong enough to seek food for themselves. 



FOOD 



The little chickens will require no food for the 

 first twenty-four or forty- eight hours after hatch- 

 ing. A mistake is often made in feeding them 

 frequently before the system requires food. The 

 close observer will readily determine by the action 

 of the chickens when food is required. The first 

 food should be of such a character that it may 

 be readily digested without the aid of grit; con- 

 sequently, soft food is preferred. ' Stale bread 

 sopped in milk makes a most excellent food 

 for newly hatched chickens. An experienced 

 poultryman will recognize that there is no best 

 food for little chickens. There are many good 

 kinds, if fed judiciously. Again, it may be said 

 that the manner of feeding is of the utmost im- 

 portance, and that the attendant who fails to 

 study closely the condition and wants of the 

 little chickens will fail to reach the best results. 

 While stale bread dipped in milk makes an 

 excellent food, yet it may be so treated as to be 

 quite unfit for use. It should be allowed to drain, 

 after dipping, so that the bread is only thor- 



