BREEDING AND GENERAL MANAGEMENT 53 



the morning before, and seed that is needed for feeding 

 at night is put in soak the night previous. 



One has only to get a whiff of the water that is strained 

 away after the seed has been soaking twelve hours to be 

 convinced that the soaking draws from the seed much 

 that is not good for the young birds. 



The soaked seed should be fed in a large egg pan or 

 tray, and there are few birds that do not show their 

 appreciation of it. When the two have been fed at the 

 same time I have hundreds of times seen the hens give 

 the preference to the soaked seed over egg food. 



When the Young Arrive. 



On the morning when the young birds are due to 

 hatch, most fanciers feel a bit anxious. We may be old 

 hands at the game, and well bitten, but yet there is 

 something about the " cheep, cheep " of the new-born 

 youngsters that sets our nerves all a-tingle, and most 

 anxious to have a look at them. One's anxiety can 

 usually be satisfied. Feed the breeding birds, giving them 

 their soft food, seed, soaked seed, and green food, and 

 walk away from the cage, and nine times out of ten off 

 will come the hen from the nest, either of her own accord 

 to feed the young, or at the call of her mate, who is 

 anxious she should share in the newly-provided food. 

 Now is the time to take a peep. But it must be just a 

 peep only, just sufficient to satisfy your curiosity and 

 to let you know " All's Well." 



Keeping an Eye on the Nests. 



Every time a fancier enters his room during the breeding 

 season he should have a look at the nests containing 

 young birds, especially the first thing in the morning, 

 and the last thing at night, only by so doing can he know 

 if things are going on well or not. The time to take the 

 look is when the hen is down at the egg or seed trough. 

 When this is done regularly many a young bird's hfe will 

 be saved, because the owner will be able to detect the first 

 symptoms of neglect on the part of the parents, or of any 

 illness or accidents from any other cause. 



For example, if a hen is feeding badly and her young 

 have empty crops, he will be able to remove the nest 



