152 POULTRY BREEDING 
with beef scrap always in a protected trough where the 
chicks can get at it. The Maine station recommends mil- 
let seed in addition to the ones enumerated, but we are 
inclined to think millet is not very good for very young 
chicks. In this we are supported by Prof. Graham of 
Canada. 
Pure water and chick grit should always be accessible 
to fowls, young or old, and they should have a dry place 
kept at a comfortable temperature to which they may 
retire for warmth or sleep. Another method which has 
proved to be very successful does not require any mixing 
of wet mashes at any time during the period of chicken- 
hood. It is known as the dry-feed method and is in great 
favor with many successful poultrymen. By this method 
the chicks are not fed until they are from 36 to 48 hours 
old. If they are hatched in an incubator they are left in 
the machine during this time, or put into well-warmed 
brooders and allowed to remain in perfect quiet. In fact, 
no young fowl should be fed until more than 24 hours 
old, as nature has provided for its wants. It has heen 
determined by J. L. Nix and other investigators that 
chicks do not acquire the faculty of selecting their feed 
for about 10 days. Before that time they will pick at al- 
most anything and are likely to swallow anything which 
is light-colored. This true, it is necessary for the care- 
taker to select the feed to be given to young chicks in 
brooders. 
The first thing given to chicks under the dry-method 
is water, pinhead oatmeal and fine chick grit. The grit 
is necessary so the chicks may have grinding material for 
their feed, but only a little should be given. Pinhead 
oatmeal goes by several names locally, besides the one we 
have used. It is sometimes called “steel-cut” oatmeal 
