290 INCUBATION AND BROODING 



No other material is so good and economical for a 

 brooder house floor as concrete. It is rat proof, draft 

 proof, and permits of thorough and easy cleaning. 



The Small Flock Best. — Whether chicks are raised on 

 a large or a small scale it is almost imperative that they be 

 started in small flocks if one expects to raise a high per- 

 centage of them. The reason for this is that the Httle 

 chicks do not know how to eat wisely, and must be taught. 

 When they are placed in large flocks some of them are sure 

 to be neglected or overlooked, and die as a result, after the 

 third or fourth day. If they are started in small flocks 

 each individual's chances for proper attention increase in 

 direct proportion to the decrease in the size of the flock. 



For the first week the chicks should be placed in flocks 

 of from fifteen to twenty-five ; and at the first few feeding 

 periods the attendant should see that each separate chick 

 has tasted its food and submerged its beak in the water, 

 even if they have to be picked up one at a time and fed 

 and watered by hand. 



This teaching period may be shortened and faciUtated 

 by introducing one or two older chickens, free from Hce 

 and disease, into each flock. After the chicks are six or 

 seven days old several shovelfuls of moist earth or muck 

 are thrown into the corner of the runs for them to pick 

 over. It is found that they will eat a great deal of this, 

 as it apparently fulfills some whim of appetite or body need 

 which cannot be supphed in the feed, especially where 

 the chicks are closely confined to yards. 



At the end of two or three weeks, and after they have 

 learned to take care of themselves, the number in a flock 

 may be increased. 



Many beginners have difl&culty in raising late-hatched 



