104 INCUBATION. 



this should always be avoided), it can 

 scarcely be expected that all will come off 

 at the same time. It is well, therefore, to 

 wait until, the next day, when such as are 

 not decidedly addled may be placed under 

 another hen which has nearly completed her 

 term of incubation. We then take the hen 

 from the nest, and, placing her in a suitable 

 coop, put the chickens to her. The treat- 

 ment of the mother with her brood will 

 form the subject of the succeeding chapter. 



CHAPTER VII. 



First Food for Chickens. Various Forms and Substitutes. 

 Forcing-frames. Situation. Clogs to prevent Scratching. 

 Food. Artificial Food. Return to the Poultry-yard. Feed- 

 ing-coop. 



CHICKENS require no food for the first 

 twenty-four hours, or until they have been 

 restored to their mother. They should then 

 be fed with coarsely-ground rice, or, what 

 is still better, coarsely-ground Indian corn. 



The first consideration, however, is a 



