40 cocker's manual. 



of the pipped shell above the surface. It is wonderful how quickly- 

 new life will be infused, and the little bird gain strength to help itself. 

 If in the course of hatching it is necessary to examine the nest and its. 

 contents, remove the hen, then the contents. Allow the hen to re- 

 turn to the nest, then give chicks and eggs to her ; she will carefully 

 tuck them away where they shall not be injured. Mark the chicks 

 when taken from the nest in a web of the foot either with one of 

 Scribner's steel punches, or with a darning needle filled with coarse 

 twisted silk, leaving the silk in the hole until it is healed. Make 

 record of the mark and its purpose. Do not ieed the chicks for the- 

 first twenty-four hours after batching, then give hard boiled eggs or 

 bread and milk."' The best brood of chickens we ever saw were never 

 fed mixed or 'artificial' feed of any kind, but simply broken grains, 

 coarse corn-meal, oat-meal, and bird seeds. It was an experiment, 

 and a success. Examine each chick's head for the long lice that are 

 so often found there. Kerosene oil is an excellent remedy, simply 

 applying it with the finger, the lice are exposed to view, and they 

 generally yield to the first application. (j\\& young chicks every care 

 and attention. Do not let them be stunted by exposure to cold, 

 dampness, or lack of food. Feed often, but not more at a time than 

 will be eaten up clean. Remember that chickens are early asleep and 

 and early awake, and prepare food for them to find as soon as they 

 are out in the morning, at daylight, instead of allowing them to chirp 

 around half-starved for two or three hours. If you can manage to 

 give them a late evening feed, they will thrive under it. Any one 

 caring to make the experiment will be astonished at the difference in 

 the growth of chicks fed early, often, and late, and that regularly, and 

 those fed, as they too frequently are, without any system — 'when I 

 happen to think of if' " 



YOUNG CHICKS. 



If possible the feed for the first week should consist of hard boiled 

 eggs, oat meal, bread crumbs, etc. Where a large number are raised 

 this system of feeding would perhaps be attended with too much 

 trouble and expense ; but even where such is the case efforts should 

 be made to give them at least two or three feeds as above. Chicks 



