Food for Young Chickens. 219 



kept on it do not thrive at all, whilst for chickens not intended 

 for early killing, it is one of the worst foods possible. It 

 should, therefore, not bo used except for the special purpose 

 already named by us. Dari, millet, hemp, and other seeds 

 are all useful for young chickens, but otherwise are not suit- 

 able for fowls. Although not really a poultry food, in the 

 sense that birds can be fed on it alone, bonemeal is a most 

 useful thing for mixing with such foods as are deficient in 

 bone-forming substances. For chicken rearing it is invalu- 

 able, and is a great preventive of leg weakness, also being 

 very good for adult fowls occasionally. Care must be taken 

 to purchase the right kind, made from fresh bones, and not 

 the scrapings from the bone-handle makers, which are of no 

 use whatever. 



Fowls of all kinds and ages should have access only to pure 

 water. Barnyard leachings, water from the kitchen sink, or 

 111 villages that flowing in gutters and alley-ways are all un- 

 wholesome and liable to cause disease. Stagnant water of 

 any kind is bad. Fowls should always be supplied with fresh, 

 pure water, and the drinking vessels should be easily acces- 

 sible for confined fowls in the runs or houses. The drinking 

 fountains before mentioned, which are of tin, galvanized iron 

 or earthenware, are excellent devices provided they are emp- 

 tied, cleansed and rinsed out whenever filled. 



