72 The Illustrated Book of Poultry. 



may be varied witli canary or crushed hemp-seed ; but as the little beaks become stronger coarser 

 grain maybe substituted, in the shape of cracked wheat or barley, bruised oats, or buckwheat. The 

 last is that best liked by chickens of all the cheap grains, and they will cat it freely at a fortnight 

 old. For the reasons given in the chapter on feeding fowls, the last feed at night should consist of 

 some kind of grain, and a little may also be left for the brood to partake of in the morning before 

 any one is up to attend to them ; for chicks are early risers and have good appetites. In summer 

 they will be thoroughly awake at four o'clock, and if fed even at six, have had two hours of hunger 

 to enilure, which is prejudicial to their growth and happiness. 



This leads us to the one great secret of success in rearing fine chickens, which we may sum up 

 thus : — Give food so as to fully satisfy their appetites, and no more. This rule, it will be seen, is 

 quite different and fiir more liberal than that wc have laid down for adult fowls. It is broken if the 

 chickens are left so long as to really hinigcr for their food ; it is equally broken if so much is given as 

 to be left after the brood is satisfied. Just so much is to be thrown down as will be fully cleared 

 away, leaving none to be trodden into the ground. In the first week every two hours will do, then 

 for a month every three hours, and after that four times daily, for the times of supply ; but some- 

 thing will depend upon the season, and in early spring they will need to be fed more frequently 

 during the early stages of growth, and also require better diet, which last will however be com- 

 pensated by the better prices obtainable in the market. We would, however, say unhesitatingly 

 that we do not approve of custard, so much recommended by some who pass for authorities, as food 

 for young chickens. We never found they were the better for it, expensive feeding as it is ; and we 

 have found chickens fed upon it sometimes refuse plain wholesome food, and ultimately to become 

 disordered in the liver. For the sake of those who wish to try this diet, we may state that the 

 custard is prepared by beating up an egg in about a quarter of a pint of milk, and putting it in a 

 saucer on the top of a stove to set, when it may be chopped up and given to the chickens. 

 At ordinary seasons, mi.xing all the food with plain milk and giving a little meat daily is infinitely 

 more wholesome diet, and the only circumstances under which custard should be given are when 

 valuable chicks show marked debility, or in January or February. At such times, if preferred, the 

 chicks may be fed with it by candlelight about ten o'clock at night, when they will eat it greedily, 

 w^hile being given thus only, it will not cause them to refuse plain food during the day. Thus used, 

 and thus alone, custard is of marked benefit in aiding the growth of early chickens ; but its cost must 

 confine it to "fancy" or prize poultry. In the country, where milk is cheap, a good substitute for 

 it may be found in curd, formed by adding a little alum to a quart of new milk, and squeezing the 

 curd very tightly in a cloth, to make it as hard and dry as possible, in which state it is eagerly 

 devoured by the chickens. 



We have already spoken of the great importance of dryness in rearing chickens. Many 

 breeds will endure with impunity very severe cold ; but none can withstand damp under foot, 

 which always issues in cramped feet. It is best, if cramp be evidently approaching, to remove 

 the hen and brood to a board floor within the house, well sprinkled with sand. Prejudicial 

 as a wooden flooring is when permanently employed, a few days' removal to it in such cases 

 is of marked benefit ; but before being again placed out, the dampness which first caused the 

 ailment must be removed. The treatment of cramp when fully developed will be given in 

 treating of diseases. 



At a period varj-ing from four to ten weeks the hen will discard her young charges ; and 

 at this time they will want special attention if they are not to suffer by the deprivation of her care. 

 Strong-winged hens will fly up to roost, and if the chickens also be of a light and active sort 

 and arc well-grown, there is no better plan than to put a perch in the accustomed house or shed. 



