THE CARE OF POULTRY 45 



breast bone at that age is little more than cartilage, and 

 bends very easily. Chickens should not be permitted 

 to roost until about twelve weeks old, and if of the 

 heavier varieties, such as Brahmas and Cochins, they 

 should be four or five months old before being allowed 

 to roost. We have known of breast bones being de- 

 formed in birds that did not roost at all, and that could 

 possibly be done by their crowding too much on the 

 ground. The bones of chickens could be hardened by 

 feeding them lime or fine bone meal in small quantities 

 from time to time. 



Teaching Chicks to Roost — Sometimes changing 

 the chicks from the house they have been accustomed 

 to to one with roosts conveniently placed induces them 

 to roost. When this fails, the only effective plan is to 

 put wide boards on the roosts extending clear back to 

 the wall, and lift a part of the chickens to these every 

 night until they learn to go themselves. When a part 

 of the flock learns to roost the rest gradually follow 

 suit. It is a rather tedious performance, but we know 

 of no other way to accomplish the end sought. 



