THE MOTHER HEN . 119 



parts of fine cracked corn, cracked wheat, and pinhead oat- 

 meal. After they are four or five weeks old, this can be 

 gradually changed to cracked corn and whole wheat, equal 

 parts. If they can be given wheat bran in an open pan or 

 hopper until they are two weeks old, they will probably grow 

 faster and be a little bigger. Clean, fresh water should 

 always be kept within easy reach, and the shelter so placed 

 that they can have plenty of green grass. 



Protecting the Chickens Against Lice. The one serious 

 handicap to natural incubation is the tendency of the young 



FIG. 67. On the farm the chicks can be reared in the pasture. The coo|>S 

 can be protected from the cows and horses by a temporary rail fence as shown in 

 this picture. After the hens are removed the chicks will continue to live in the same 

 coops. 



chicks to get hen lice from the mother hen. The effect of 

 these parasites on the young chicks is to retard their growth, 

 lower their vitality, and, if numerous, to cause many deaths. 

 The first indication of hen lice on the young chicks is the 

 fact that they do not seem active, or to grow fast. They 

 carry their wings and head low, and their bodies seem short. 

 Close inspection of the down at the top of the head will 

 reveal minute insects burrowing into the skin. The remedy 

 is to rub lard thoroughly into the head and neck, and into 

 the down clear to the skin. If the mother hen is dusted 



