232 THE HANDBOOK FOR PEACTICAL FARMERS 



half-inch square mesh wire grating resting on top of the feed to 

 jDrevent Avasting : 



1 wheat bran 1 middlings 



1 rolled oats % best sifted meat scrap 



1 corn meal - V^ granulated bone meal 



A little charcoal 



If milk cannot be kept before them to drink, increase the meat 

 scrap to a full part. 



At this time the mid-forenoon and mid-afternoon feed may be 

 changed to the above mash, moistened with milk. If milk is 

 kept before them in shallow dishes, with inch-mesh wire netting 

 stretched across the top and bent over the edges, good results 

 may be obtained if no moist feed is given. Greens should be fed 

 at least twice a day until the chicks get onto the ground. Do not 

 overfeed. 



From the second to the fourth week feed as before, except 

 that one feeding of the moist mash should be discontinued. The 

 rolled oats in the mash may be replaced by sifted ground oats. 

 Do not overfeed. 



From the fourth to sixth week the mash may be gradually 

 changed so that it contains the regular ground oats and meat 

 scrap. Also begin to mix whole wheat and cracked corn with the 

 chick grain. Do not overfeed. 



From the sixth week to maturity, the same mash or the regular 

 laying mash may be put in larger hoppers. In one side of the 

 hopper, grain consisting of equal parts of cracked corn and 

 wheat, may be fed to maturity. Where the chicks are getting 

 ample range they should eat about equal parts of mash and 

 grain. 



CHICK POINTERS 



1. Young chicks are extremely sensitive to temperature 



clianges. Most diarrhoeas are caused by chilling. 



2. Stunted chicks are worthless chicks. Start culling early. 



3. Greater damage is done by over-feeding than by under- 



feeding. 



4. Chicks should have nothing but clean, sweet feed. Feed 



musty or sour foods to anything but chicks. 



5. Chicks ^ should have clean, dry, well-ventilated houses. 



''Sweating" among half-grown chicks causes more colds 

 than too much fresh air. Apple trees make ideal roosting 

 quarters for the older chicks. 



