144 HATCHING AND REARING 



birds can then be confined to one yard while a crop is being 

 grown in the other. When this green crop gets to be four 

 or five inches high, the chicks can be turned in to feed on it. 

 Then another crop can be planted in the yard where they 

 previously fed. By this system of rotation the chicks can 

 be continuously provided with green fodder, and the fre- 

 quent cultivation keeps the yards clean and sanitary. It 

 is the next best thing to free range. During an average 

 season the sowing of four crops will be found to work to 

 the best advantage, if alternate crops are used. Peas and 

 oats should be seeded early, this crop followed by buckwheat, 

 and buckwheat in turn by soy beans, which should be fol- 

 lowed by winter wheat and rye, and the latter crop allowed 

 to grow all winter. Thus early green feed in the Spring is 

 provided. 



Shade Very Desirable. The yard should have shade to 

 protect the birds from the direct rays of the sun. If they 

 stay all day in the heat of the sun, they grow slowly, and 

 their bodies often become so sunburnt that they do not 

 feather properly. Natural shade from plants or trees is 

 best (Fig. 78) . Wild trees or forest growth, if not too thick, 

 makes admirable range, as do fruit orchards. Peach, apple 

 and plum trees are among the best to plant on the poultry 

 range. The corn field also is a good place in which to rear 

 the youngsters. The colony house can be moved along 

 the edge of the field, and the chicks find suitable shade 

 and range in the corn. Sunflowers and castor beans 

 are frequently used in small yards to provide shade, and 

 beauty as well. 



When natural shade is not available, artificial shelters 

 may be constructed. Such shelters are commonly made 

 from boughs of trees, preferably evergreen, about two feet 

 above the ground. Boards or burlap fastened to a frame may 

 also be erected above the ground to give shade. These 

 artificial shelters are generally unsatisfactory because they 



