390 



FEEDS AND FEEDING, ABRIDGED 



loose toward night and allowed to run with the brood. If she does no 

 damage, she can be given her liberty during the day when the chicks be- 

 come accustomed to following her. On most farms the hens with their 

 broods can be moved to some field where they can find a large part of 

 their living. When the hens wean their chicks, care should be taken 

 to see that the orphans do not desert some of the houses and all crowd 

 together. 



Many find it practicable to hatch most of their chicks in incubators 

 and brood them all with hens. Others buy chicks from a central hatch- 



Fig. 111. — Summer Hatched Chicks Need Shade 



Chicks have tender skins which are easily sunburned. Keep these inexpensive 

 coops clean by moving them to a new spot every day. (From Halpin, Wisconsin 

 Station. ) 



ing station and rear them with hens. Broody hens are given a couple 

 of chicks to test them out just at dark, and early the next morning the 

 best mothers are selected and given from 12 to 30 chicks. 



Artificial brooding. — While rearing chicks with hens is the proper 

 method where only a few chicks are raised, the use of brooders is ad- 

 visable where a large number must be cared for. Not only does this 

 save labor but it permits raising the chicks past weaning entirely free 

 from lice. Brooders are of two general types — indoor brooders and 

 outdoor brooders. The former must be placed inside of some building 

 for additional protection, while the latter may be used out-of-doors un- 



