52 FIRST LESSONS IN POULTRY KEEPING. 



Water for Chicks. 



Chicks should have always before them a supply of good water. Many cases of " cramps " 

 are caused by letting the chicks become very thirsty and then fill up with cold water. 



For a few chicks together with a hen I prefer flower pot saucers for drinking vessels. Dif- 

 ferent sizes of these can be used for different sized chicks. There is no possibility of their 

 drowning in them. They keep the water cooler than either tin, iron or wooden vessels, and 

 though more dirt will be kicked into them than into a drinking fountain they are more easily 

 cleaned. 



Keeping Chicks Free From Lice. 



If the hen and nest were kept free from lice, the chicks should need no treatment for several 

 days. They may not need it then, but for an inexperienced grower it is always better to keep 

 on the safe side and prevent lice getting established, for when they become numerous they do a 

 great deal of damage in a very short time. Dust them with an insecticide within two or three 

 days after taking from the nest, then at intervals of a week until they are three weeks old. 

 After that they should not need treatment for lice. 



I have always used Dalmatian insect powder for young chicks. There may be some of the 

 other insect powders not composed largely of Dalmatian that are as effective, but many of them 

 will not kill head lice on young chickens, while fresh Dalmatian has never failed to do this for 

 me. 



Apply it with a powder gun, such as can be bought at any drug store for 15 to 25 cents, 

 according to size. Here the advantage of a convenient coop is apparent. With a box coop 

 with hinged top, one may go in the evening, raise the top, take the hen In one hand, puff a few 

 puffs of powder over the chicks as they sit iu one corner of the coop; then holding the hen by 

 the feet, head down, with one hand, work the powder gun with the other, puffing the powder 

 well into the feathers, especially around the vent and under the wings. 



Observe that the powder is very pungent, (it will make you sneeze) and a few puffs of it 

 are enough. It will not injure the chicks if used moderately. I never knew of its injuring 

 them anyway, but some claim it has in some cases. 



