HATCHING AND REARING CHICKS 



grind and digest their food. Coarse sand will 

 answer the purpose fairly well for the first few 

 days of the chick's life, but after that some coarser 

 material must be provided. 



Charcoal is of great assistance in keeping the 

 chicks' bowels well regulated, and it is invaluable 

 in cases of bowel disorders or improper feeding. 

 Keep some setting around where the chicks may 

 pick at it at all times, but remember that if ex- 

 posed to the air it will gradually lose its valuable 

 properties, as it will absorb the impurities from 

 the air. 



Cleanliness is very important with little chicks. 

 Filth allowed to collect in any quantity, whether in 

 The General tne brooder, roosting coop, or yards, 

 Care of lowers vitality and invites disease. 



Chicks j eep t k e fl oor t h e brooder or coop 



lightly covered with sand, hay chaff, cut hay or 

 clover, or some similar material, and sweep this 

 out, together with the droppings and accumulated 

 filth, every two or three days. If the coops are 

 crowded, they must be cleaned that much more fre- 

 quently. It often is a good plan to put a layer of 

 heavy paper on the floor of the brooder, and then 

 all the litter and droppings may be removed simply 

 by taking out the paper. Disinfect the brooders 

 every few weeks. 



Don't hatch out more chicks than you feel abso- 

 lutely sure you can properly look after. When the 



