CHAPTER XV 



WEANING THE CHICKS 



WEANING time is the time to take the chicks away 

 from the "clucks" or brooders, as the case may be. 

 The weaning process should start at the age of 6 to 

 8 weeks, or better still when the chicks show signs 

 of wanting to roost on the top of the hover or other 

 places about the brood coop. In most cases the 

 chicks themselves will indicate to you when they are 

 no longer in need of heat and mothering. 



When these signs are apparent they should be re- 

 moved to new quarters arranged for them. Com- 

 fortable houses should be provided for their recep- 

 tion. When I say comfortable I mean everything 

 the word implies, everything necessary for their 

 health and to promote their growth. 



Any old house or box will not do. It must be 

 waterproof, so as to keep out the hard summer rains, 

 not only from the top, but also from the sides. Face 

 it to the south or east, never to the north or west. 

 Provide plenty of fresh air by having the front as 

 much open as possible. Growing stock reared in 

 open front houses will develop into hardier fowls 

 than those too closely housed. Fresh air and plenty 

 of it, both during the day and at night, is an abso- 

 lute necessity to proper development. 



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