l36 PROFITABLE POULTRY PRODUCTION 



mucTi range as possible. If necessary to confine 

 them, have as large yards as can be provided. 

 Chicks should be fed apart from the older fowls. 

 If all are fed together they will be apt to get an 

 insufficient amount of food and the older fowls will 

 receive too much and, in consequence, become too 

 fat. The chicks seem to get plenty of grain on 

 account of their activity, but when one thinks that 

 this activity is, in a great measure, caused by their 

 having to dodge the pecks of older fowls, it will 

 be seen that they are not allowed to pick up as 

 much food as they have the appearance of doing. 

 Regularity in feeding is another important matter. 

 If chicks are fed at certain times when on free 

 range, it will be found that they will be near or 

 about the feeding place at that time and all will 

 share alike ; whereas, if fed at any old time, some 

 may have wandered off in search of bugs and in- 

 sects and, therefore, miss their portion. 



After a certain age a mash is a help to the de- 

 veltpment of the growing chicks. If given for a 

 change and in moderation, however, it will be found 

 best to confine one's self in the main to dry feed- 

 ing as in the earlier stages of a chick's life. 



One of the most important things to be con- 

 sidered during the summer is the water supply. 

 The water should be kept in some vessel or foun- 

 tain that will prevent the chicks from walking in it, 

 or else it should be changed frequently. The foun- 

 tain should, of course, always be placed in a shady 

 spot. 



Late chickens, when properly cared for, often 

 make as nice fowls and lay nearly as soon as the 

 earlier ones, as they have the advantage of settled 

 warm weather and generally not so much dampness. 



