228 AUSTRALIAN AGRICULTURE. 



can then pick and forage, and younger chicks put with 

 them are warmer, and soon acquire the arts of chicken life. 

 But, when for the first six weeks chickens remain with 

 their mother, it may be found most convenient to confine 

 the hen in a roomy coop, and allow the chicken to run out- 

 side. It is best to place the chicken's food and water where 

 they alone can get at it, while corn and other feed is put 

 inside for the hen. The coop and yard should be portable, 

 and must be kept scrupulously clean, and be frequently 

 shifted from place to place. Adult birds may thrive in a 

 tainted atmosphere and on impure soil, but for young 

 chickens these conditions mean certain death. Where 

 there is grass, the chickens should not be allowed out too 

 early in the morning, while the dew is heavy on the 

 ground, or cramps may be their fate. 



Young Chickens and Young Ducks. About the close of 

 the sixth week, the hen is likely to abandon her charges. 

 Suddenly all her former tenderness and devotion are then 

 turned to harshness. She will drive the chickens from 

 her, and if any of the wee things creep to her for warmth 

 and shelter, she will often peck at them unmercifully. 

 She knows that they will then thrive better by themselves 

 and hence she refuses them care any longer. So after all 

 she is " cruel only to be kind." Here again the advan- 

 tages of the hen mother all favour the chickens. For a 

 week or two the youngsters, when suddenly abandoned, 

 need extra care and attention. They must be fed well and 

 warmly housed. If a spell of cold weather comes on, a 

 sprinkling of pepper may be added to their morning meal. 

 Their best camp will be a warm box with dry leaves or 

 leaf mould, where they can cuddle together, or warmth can 

 be supplied by a lamp, hot water, a hot stone on top, or 

 other means. Early roosting is not good for fleshy, 

 well-nourished chicks. Should they roost on sharp, 

 narrow sticks, they are likely to be deformed. 



DUCKS. The established varieties are well represented 

 in this country, and they all do well. In addition, we have 

 Australian ducks, native to the soil or water. They 

 are small, but make up for it iu quality, being more of the 

 type of game birds than any of the imported breeds. The 



