24 COMMERCIAL EGG FARMING 



where tte chicks of one age mix. They may 

 find their way back to any pen that suits 

 them. Some pens will have twice the number 

 of chicks that others do. I think that the 

 extra exercise which this arrangement allows 

 does the chicks more than enough good to 

 overcome the harm that comes from a little 

 crowding in some of the pens. 



This in brief is all the attention my chicks 

 receive while they remain in the brooder 

 house, and they are thrifty and strong. I 

 must repeat, however, that any chick which 

 shows signs of weakness or evidence of disease 

 is promptly disposed of. A chick is not of 

 great value, but it may be the cause of great 

 loss if it harbors disease. 



A good many cockerels can be distin- 

 guished at six weeks of age. Some are sent 

 to London and bring from eighteen to twenty- 

 four cents each. Others are kept for another 

 month or so and sold for about thirty-six 

 cents. There is no money in fattening Leg- 

 horn cockerels in England. It is therefore 

 better to sell them for what they will bring 

 rather than give them time, labor and house 

 accommodation. 



