58 THE PRACTICAL POULTRY KEEPER. 



except for Bantams, which it is desired to keep small ; but 

 boiled rather dry, a little dripping or suet stirred in, and 

 the greasy pellets rolled in " sharps," rice makes an occasional 

 change which is greedily relished. 



Bread sopped in water is the worst possible food for 

 chickens, causing weakness and general diarrhoea. With 

 milk it is better, but not equal to meal. 



Green food is even more necessary to chickens than to 

 adult fowls. Whilst very young it is best to cut grass into 

 very small morsels for them with a pair of scissors, and mix 

 liberally in the food ; afterwards they will crop it for them- 

 selves if allowed. Should there be no grass plot available, 

 cabbage or lettuce leaves, or cress, or dandelion, or salad ol 

 some kind, must be regularly given minced small at first, 

 but thrown down whole as soon as the beaks of the 

 chickens are strong enough to enable them to help them- 

 selves. 



In winter or very early spring the chickens must, in 

 addition to the above feeding, have more stimulating diet. 

 Some underdone meat should be continued regularly, and 

 a drink of warm milk early in the morning is of particular 

 service.* They should be fed about nine or ten o'clock at 

 night, by candle-light, and early in the morning. In no other 

 way can Dorkings or Spanish be successfully reared at this 

 inclement season, though the hardier breeds will often get 

 along very well with the ordinary feeding. Dryness and 

 care and shelter, with liberal feeding, will rear chickens at 

 the coldest seasons. But shelter they must have; and 

 those who have not at command a large outhouse or shed 

 to shelter them while tender, should not attempt to raise 

 winter or early spring chickens if they do, the result will 



* This applies either to very young chickens, or cold weather 

 Chickens of any growth should not have milk in mild weather, unless 

 they are being fattened. 



