ones peck the smaller ones and the little fellows run away 

 and do not eat and therefore their growth is retarded. The 

 little chicks, as they grow older, should have just as good 

 care as when they are small. There is a tendency with all of 

 us to neglect growing birds after they have passed the try- 

 ing time or danger point, but neglect means trouble and 

 plenty of it. The pullets should be set for early maturity 

 and cockrels for market or for selling stock. There should be 

 a marked difference in feeding from an economic standpoint. 

 Good care and attention will bring results that will be highly 

 satisfactory to the one just beginning in the poultry busi- 

 ness. 



FEEDING BABY CHICKS 



A baby chick, like an infant, should be fed little and often. 

 From 48 to 72 hours should elapse before a baby chick should 

 be fed, but as soon as they are placed in the brooder house, 

 fresh water with the chill taken off, should be placed before 

 them. Also fine sand placed on the floors is good for them to 

 pick up. The first feed should consist of fine cut wheat, steel 

 cut oats, and feed meal, placed on a board and by tapping 

 with the fingers on the board, the little chicks will be taught 

 to eat. Also at this time, place before them in special foun- 

 tains, sour milk or buttermilk and also let them have water 

 to drink. Feed them five times a day until they are eight 

 weeks old ; four times a day until they are twelve weeks old ; 

 then feed the pullets three times a day until they are six 

 months old, a growing mash and other feeds that will give 

 them strength and promote their growth. The feed for a 

 baby chick until it is eight weeks old is, first— the fine 

 ground wheat, steel cut oats, and feed meal. Second feed of 

 the day — same as first with rolled oats, a few handfuls 

 rubbed in the hands and mixed with the first feed. The rolled 

 oats should not be fed until after the first day. Third and 

 fifth feeds are the same as the first. Keep this up for ten 

 days or two weeks then you substitute for one hour only 

 each day at intervals of i^ hour a chick mash composed of 

 equal parts by weight of ground hulled barley, fish meal and 

 feed meal. This is to take the place of the third feed each 

 day. Avoid overfeeding and feed them only what they will 

 clean up. Greens should not be given until the chick is six 

 days old, then in small quantities at first, gradually giving 

 them more. Give tender greens and avoid too much fiber. 

 Do not feed crumbly mash. Overfeeding will cause leg weak- 



12 



