22 COMMERCIAL EGG FARMING 



the warmth. If it is noticed that any are 

 standing about or crying they must be put 

 under the pipes. This must be continued 

 until it is certain that all know their way 

 back. 



The first feed is given when the chicks 

 show unmistakable evidence of hunger, 

 which is thirty-six to forty-eight hours after 

 hatching. It consists of "kibbled" wheat or 

 any ordinary commercial chick feed. If it is 

 the latter it need not contain grit. The coarse 

 sand on the floor is quite sufficient for the 

 chicks in the way of grit. Water, in which 

 there is enough permanganate of potash 

 to make it wine red, is given with thg first 

 feed of grain, and thereafter during the 

 chicks' life in the brooder house it is given 

 twice a day. The drinking vessels on each 

 occasion are thoroughly cleaned and rinsed 

 with disinfectant. This is most important. 

 It is nearly impossible to keep water for 

 chicks clean, and the cause of many chick 

 troubles can be traced to an insufficient supply 

 of perfectly clean water. 



When the chicks have the full use of their 

 brooder house pen, sufficient grain is scattered 



