Regular Diet of the Chickens, 71 



run, by which their depreciations may be defied. Such runs are made in an ornamental form by 

 various manufacturers, but unless too small to be of service, are far too expensive for general 

 use. Our own method, when some years ago compelled to adopt them, was as shown in 

 Fig. 42, where such a run is represented affixed to the ordinary wooden gable coop already 

 described, and is constructed by stretching inch-niesh wire netting, two feet wide, upon light 

 wooden frames two feet wide by about six feet long, with a shorter one three feet in length ; or the 

 -frames may consist of stout galvanised wire if preferred. The hurdles thus formed may be lashed 

 with string so as to form runs of any size required, and are closed in with one or more similar 

 hurdles on the top, the latter however being, for cheapness, constructed of two-inch mesh netting. 

 Such an enclosed run is absolutely proof against any kind of animal depredators, and in some 

 situations may save much care and anxiety for the safety of the young brood. 



Cooping the hen with her chickens has been condemned as an evil by some who have written 

 on the subject without much practical knowledge, and who have alleged that the "natural" plan of 

 allowing her to wander at will with them is to be preferred. We have tried both ways, and assert 

 without hesitation that this notion is altogether a fallacy, and that a brood placed with a hen 

 properly cooped, with a moderate and fresh grass-run, well sheltered if possible by a few shrubs, 

 and regularly supplied with suitable food, will thrive better and grow much faster than if left at 

 liberty. Game and Hamburglis, in which size is no consideration, may be exceptions perhaps, and 

 do well with free range : but nearly all hens over-tire their chickens if left to their own discretion ; 

 and from this most chickens suffer severely, besides being often surprised by showers where there 

 is no adequate shelter. Our own practice latterly has been to give the hen about an hour's liberty 

 some convenient time during the day when the weather is fine — in the afternoon is perhaps best — 

 and in her absence to have the floor or ground thoroughly cleaned ; this does all parties good, 

 without the evils of unrestricted liberty. 



After the first day or two the chopped egg and bread-crumb will have to be discontinued, and 

 the chicks placed upon a regular diet. For this nothing can surpass the ground oats already 

 described in Chapter III., the only objection being that it is almost too clammy, being so finely 

 ground, for their tender beaks. This drawback can be easily removed by adding a little sharps or 

 middlings and Indian meal, to impart a more crumbly character. Next to ground oats stands oat- 

 meal, rather coarsely ground, and mixed with about one-third of barley-meal. The addition of the 

 last is rather important, oatmeal alone being rather too drj^ — at least we have never found our 

 chickens fledge so kindly on oatmeal by itself as when mixed with a little barley or bread-crumbs. 

 The latter food is perhaps too expensive for ordinary market chickens, and every purpose of good 

 and rapid growth may be obtained by feeding on a mixture of equal parts sharps or middlings and 

 barley-meal. The grass mentioned in our last page must on no account be forgotten, unless 

 a plot makes it unnecessary. 



For a little time at least the food should be mixed with milk instead of water, and a little meat 

 of some kind be given every day. For early chickens, new milk warmed, given to drink early in 

 the morning, has a wonderful effect in bringing them through cold weather, and they get very fond 

 of it ; but neither this nor the food must be left so long as to become sour, which it will soon do, 

 and if so cause serious trouble. The longer such food and delicacies can be continued the better ; 

 but for market chickens it is often too expensive, and the plain food already described, with a grass- 

 run, will answer every needful purpose. 



After a few days at most, some kind of grain must be given in addition to the soft meat, or the 

 gizzard will not have healthy exercise. Even the first day some whole grits chopped up with a 

 knife will be greatly relished, and the day following may be given entire. For a week or two this 



