196 Profitable Poultry Keeping. 



unnecessary, as the scale naturally falls off after a few days. 

 Possibly, if we could trace it, this custom originated in some 

 old superstition, born in an age when there was a charm in 

 cruelty, or, when no thought was given to the sufferings of 

 those who were weak and defenceless. 



When the process of hatching is entirely over, and all the 

 birds are out, it is better not to disturb the hen, after having 

 given her a good feed, for twenty to twenty-four hours, when 

 some hard-boiled egg, chopped fine, mixed with an equal 

 quantity of bread crumbs, and slightly moistened with milk, 

 should be given to both the hen and her brood. The best 

 plan for making the bread crumbs is to get a sieve, about 

 ten or twelve inches in diameter, and of a moderately fine 

 mesh. This, in use, is turned upside down, and bread rubbed 

 through with the hands, in which way, if the loaf is not too 

 new, nice even crumbs will be made very rapidly. When 

 giving the first feed, it is best to put the food upon a board 

 in front of the nest, and the hen and chickens placed near it, 

 when the tapping of the hen's beak will be sufficient to attract 

 the attention of the chicks, and they will soon begin to feed, 

 No more than they eat readily should be given, and any 

 that is left ought to be removed at once, for the best rule for 

 feeding chicks is, little and often. Only sufficient should be 

 moistened to serve two or three times ; and, when the weather 

 is cold or wet, a pinch of stimulating powder will be very 

 beneficial. Clean water in clean dishes must be given, or, 

 what is better, warmed milk ; but shallow dishes or saucers 

 should be used, or the birds may get drowned. We once 

 bought some dishes which were made with a series of rings 

 or ridges on the upper side, so that the birds could not 

 possibly come to any harm, and the quantity of water which 

 each held was, so small that they had to be refilled twice or 

 thrice a day. But small fountains, with a cup at one side, 

 are even better than these, for the birds can drink out of 



