BREEDING AND GENERAL MANAGEMENT 57 



be used for the purpose, but in such case the food must be 

 mixed very thin so that the syringe will suck it up easily. 

 Young birds will require to be fed every two hours from 

 sunrise to sun-set. It will thus be seen what a tremendous 

 job hand feeding is. If the birds are less than seven or 

 eight days old, it is almost useless attempting to hand feed. 

 In fact, my honest opinion is that " the game is never worth 

 the candle." Hand-fed youngsters seldom thrive. They 

 are starved in body, and badly feathered. 



Open Glass Drinking Vessels. 



This is the best form of drinking vessel for use in breeding, moulting, 

 or stock cages. Spare Drinkers may be suspended on a board fixed on 

 the wall of the birdroom. The wire in the centre shows mode of 

 attachment. 



Why Young Birds Are Neglected. 



Speaking generally, it may be said that nine times 

 out of ten when young birds are neglected and badly fed, 

 it happens with young hens, and I am inclined to think 

 that nervousness is the cause. They are anxious about 

 their young, and they think that by covering them 

 closely they will protect them from harm. Anxiety and 

 not carelessness is the cause of the neglect to feed. In 

 any case, and from whatever cause, it is most annoying 

 and also very difficult to deal with. 



In mating birds it is always wise to pair an old cock 

 to a young hen, and let the young cocks be with the old 

 hens. In this manner the new hands are taught their 

 parental duties. They learn by example, and not by 

 instinct alone. When the cock is an old and tried breeder, 

 one to be relied on, he will teach his mate how to feed, 

 but if she is too nervous to rise from the nest, or too 

 jealous, there is only one thing to be done, and that is 



