IO4 



LETTERS TO YOUNG SHOOTERS 



rearing field to protect the chicks, both from a damp 

 soil, and from ground vermin. 



If birds just hatched are unavoidably transferred 

 to coops placed on damp ground, or heavy rain sets 

 in, then pieces of dry sacking, two or three times 

 doubled, spread under the hens in the coops for three 



FIG. 20. RAILS (ONE IN FRONT OF EACH Coop) TO PLACE IN THE BEARING 

 FIELD FOR THE YOUNG BIRDS TO PERCH ON AFTER RAIN OR DEW TO 

 DRY THEIR PLUMAGE, OR TO ROOST ON IF THEY DESERT THE COOl'S; AND 

 ALSO AS A REFUGE FROM GROUND VERMIN BY DAY AND NIGHT. 



The rails may be 8 ft. long, and raised 2 ft. from the ground. 



or four days, will probably save the lives of at least a 

 couple of chicks per nest ; even hay may be utilised if 

 you have not sacking in plenty. 



Do not allow the chicks to leave the coops of a 

 damp morning till the dew or rain has at all events 

 partially dried away, especially if the grass is rather 

 high. If the grass is short in the rearing field, as it 

 should be for, anyhow, the first three weeks after the 

 young birds are placed therein, there will seldom be 

 enough dew to prevent their being uncooped at an 

 early hour. 



