Feeding Young Chicks. 199 



dies, or, grows up a weedy, stunted thing, of no use to 

 any one. We must not be thought from this to be 

 advocating pampering or coddling, for we do not believe 

 in such a system; but, there is a way of feeding well in 

 which there is no pampering, and as to coddling, whilst we 

 certainly think that the young chicks should be protected 

 from the severe storms, it is much better to put them out 

 of doors — except in severe weather — as soon as they are a 

 week or ten days old. This, of course, does not apply to 

 very early hatched chicks, for, as they are brought into the 

 world at an unseasonable period, they need special treatment, 

 and must be kept in such a house as we have already 

 described. There is another advantage also, in giving them 

 liberty, and that is, they can find grubs and worms, which, 

 it must be remembered, are their natural food. But on these 

 topics we have already said all that is needed. 



For the first three or four days, it is better to continue the 

 egg and bread crumbs, of which the hen should be allowed 

 a share, as it is necessary to get up the tone of her system, 

 which, naturally, is much reduced during sitting, in order 

 that she may begin to lay as soon as she gives up her charge : 

 otherwise, if she is not well fed, there may several weeks 

 elapse before she does this, and thus " penny wise " will be 

 " pound foolish." The chicks require to be fed as soon after 

 daylight as possible, and at intervals of two hours until the 

 evening ; a final meal to be given by candle-light, about ten 

 o'clock at night. If it is not possible to be up so early in the 

 morning as this may appear to require, a little canary seed 

 should be left overnight, where the birds can get it as soon 

 as they are astir ; but this will not take the place of warm 

 food and fresh milk, so that it must not be made an excuse 

 for idleness. A bad riser is certain to be behind with his 

 chicks— all other things being equal — compared with one 

 who is a good getter up. 



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