REARING 183- 



either in a place which has not been used before or 

 where the soil has been plowed or spaded. If this 

 precaution is taken, together with the use of board 

 floors and proper care, there may be no fear of 

 gapes. The location should be in a good-sized yard 

 with grass and some shade, or else at a little dis- 

 tance from where the old flock is in the habit of 

 running. To feed young chicks among a lot of 

 hungry fowls is provoking, to say the least. An 

 orchard is an excellent place to put the coops, as 

 there they may have plenty of shade and plenty 

 of range. 



It is advisable to watch the hatching closely when 

 it is about time for the young to appear, so the 

 chicks may be removed to a warm place and 

 wrapped in flannel or cotton until the hens are 

 ready to come off. If this is not done and the 

 hatch is uneven, the mother hen may become rest- 

 less and either trample some of the chicks to death 

 or leave with some and cause the remainder to 

 perish. If good coops have been provided the 

 chicks may be placed there with the hen as soon 

 as they are all out and dry and can walk. 



By this time they will begin to pick around for 

 something to eat. Crumbs of stale bread may be 

 given for a day or two. There are many things 

 recommended for young chicks, and no one thing 

 may be said to be best. A bread made by mixing 

 three parts of corn meal, one part wheat bran and 

 one part wheat middlings, baked until it is crumbly, 

 and to which is added a little hard-boiled egg, is 

 one of the best things for the first few days. After 

 that chief reliance may be placed in a prepared 

 chick food made up of cracked corn and various 

 kinds of small grains. It is always ready and handy 



