FIRST LESSONS IN POULTRY KEEPING. 



LESSON VII. 



The Care of Chicks From Weaning to flaturity. 



IT IS often said that the first three weeks in the chick's life are the critical period ; that 

 if the chick lives through that period it is likely to grow to maturity. 

 There is some truth in this view, but it is not all true. It is not true to the extent that 

 the poultryman is warranted in relaxing his efforts to produce chicks each of which shall 

 make the best development of which it is capable. Indeed, I am inclined, after a good many 

 years listening to complaints about chicks that do not thrive, and with a vivid recollection of 

 ome faults I have seen in my own work with poultry, to consider the period just after wean- 

 ing the most critical period in the life of a chick reared by the natural method Let me give 

 a single illustration. 



"While the hen remains, or is kept, with the chicks, she relieves the owner of responsibility in 

 regard to supplying them with heat. After the chicks are weaned the attendant must make 

 sure that they do not suffer for lack of heat. They may not need supplied heat at all, but if 

 they do they must have it, and whether they get it or not depends generally upon the judgment 

 of tae attendant, and his attention to his business. 



Age for Weaning Chicks 



The age at which chicks should be weaned depends upon the weather and upon their 

 condition, especially the condition of the plumage. 



Left to herself, the average hen would wean her chicks at six to eight weeks of age. This 

 may be all right for chicks coming to such age in this latitude after the middle of June, but 

 earlier than tb-at chicks left to themselves are very likely to get chilled, and it is safest to see 

 that they have some heat supplied until one feels sure they do not need it. Prior to May 1st, 

 chicks, unless in a very warm house or coop, may need more warmth than they themselves 

 furnish, up to ten or twelve weeks of age. After that they should, if well developed and 

 feathered for their age, get along very well with the same kind of accommodations the old 

 fowls have. 



Coops for Weaned and Growing Chicks. 



The accompanying cuts show two somewhat similar styles of coops for growing chicks. (I 

 would just say, by the way, that it has become 

 quite the custom to apply the term " growing 

 chicks" to the chicks after weaning, perhaps 

 because the rate of growth of thrifty chicks, 

 from weaning to maturity, being very clearly 

 noticed, while earlier growth seems slower). 



The first coop shown is one that may be 

 used very early in the season, and which is so 

 constructed as to make the chicks secure when 



the coop is closed. This coop may be built 

 -?vlth or without board floor. 



Secure Coop for Growing Chicks. 



