FIRST FOOD COOPING. 43 



spot, and, if possible, not within the reach of ano- 

 ther hen, since the chickens will mix, and the hens 

 are apt to maim or destroy those which do not be- 

 long to them. Nor should they be placed near 

 numbers of young fowls, which are likely to crush 

 young chicks under their feet, being always eager 

 for the chickens' meat. 



The FIRST FOOD, split grits, afterwards tail wheat; 

 all watery food, soaked bread, or potatoes, improper. 

 Eggs boiled hard, or curd chopped small, much ap- 

 proved as first food. Their water should be pure and 

 often renewed, and there are convenient pans made 

 in such forms, that the chickens may drink with- 

 out getting into the water, which often, by wetting 

 their feet and feathers, benumbs and injures them; 

 a basin whelmed in the middle of a 'pan of water, 

 will answer the end, the water running round it. 

 Generally, and dependent on situation, and the dis- 

 position of the hen, there is no necessity for cooping 

 the brood beyond two or three days, but they may 

 be confined as occasion requires or suffered to range, 

 as they are much benefited by the scratching and 

 foraging of the hen. They must not be let out too 

 early in the morning, or whilst the dew remains 

 upon the ground, far less be suffered to range over 

 the wet grass, one common and fatal cause of dis- 

 ease. Another caution is of the utmost consequence, 

 to guard them watchfully against sudden unfavour- 

 able changes of the weather, more particularly if 

 attended with rain. Nearly all the diseases of gal- 

 linaceous fowls arise from cold moisture. 



For the period of the chickens QUITTING the hen, 



