INCUBATION. 227 



they will attain a larger size, and command a greater price in 

 the market. It is a common, but fatal error, to set too many 

 eggs under the hen. I have also observed that the vigorous, 

 healthy chickens of the small broods are not likely to be 

 injured by the hen, in her movements about the nest, and 

 when at large, while the feebler and less active ones produced 

 in the larger broods are frequently trodden to death, and other- 

 wise damaged, by the mother. These latter are also much 

 more liable to disease, and I think a careful observation will 

 convince all breeders that they are much more difficult to rear, 

 and far less profitable, in the long ran. 



FOOD OF THE CHICK. 



For about twenty-four hours after birth, the chick not only 

 can do well enough without any extraneous nourishment, but 

 will positively be far more likely subsequently to thrive, if let 

 alone, than if crammed or incited to eat prematurely. It is, 

 however, no harm to turn them in among older chicks, that 

 already feed themselves. They will then ordinarily follow the 

 example of the rest, and pick away at whatever is going. 



After a day or two, chickens will eat anything ; but if they 

 are of a delicate and valuable sort, chopped bits of fresh meat, 

 unbaked pie-crust, and rice, are an excellent nourishment. 



" We are certain," says Mr. Bement, " more chickens are 

 destroyed by over-feeding than are lost by the want of it. We 

 have remarked also that hens which stole their nests generally 

 hatched all the eggs.; and if suffered to seek the food for her 

 chickens, if the season was somewhat advanced, she would, 

 unless some casualty occurred, raise the whole brood, while 

 with too much kindness or officiousness, not half would be 

 raised. All watery food, such as soaken bread, or potatoes, 

 should be avoided. If Indian meal is well boiled, and fed not 

 too moist, it will answer a very good purpose, particularly 



