BROODING AND REARING YOUNG STOCK 



opportunity for the hen and her young to secure a supply 

 of fresh green feed inside the coop. For this reason the 

 coops should be without floors. 



The necessity for plentiful exercise for the poults can- 

 not be over emphasized. For this reason they should be 

 allowed to run whenever possible. Of course, it is folly 

 to let the young run out in rainstorms if this can be 

 avoided, but whenever the weather is suitable they should 

 be allowed to run even when it is necessary to confine the 

 hen. If there is a long continued period of bad rainy 

 weather, it will be found as a rule better policy to confine 

 the hen but to allow the poults to run out whenever it is 

 not actually raining, even if they do have to range through 

 damp grass. Since the hen is confined the poults will not 

 range far and can always return to her and she will be 

 ready to hover them and warm them up if they become 

 chilled. 



A well-drained location, such as a sandy or light soil, is 

 very desirable in order to keep the interior of the coop 

 perfectly dry. A location where there is some protection 

 from heavy winds is also desirable. If it becomes neces- 

 sary on account of the weather to confine the hen for a 

 week or more, this can be done provided she is given 

 proper care by being fed and -watered and that the coop 

 is moved to fresh ground each day. When the weather 

 is warm and dry, as is more likely to be the case with the 

 poults hatched later in the season, it is not necessary to 

 provide shelter for the hen and poults. In fact, they will 

 be likely to do better in the open. It is, however, advisa- 



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