BROODING THE CHICKS 81 



of trouble. The brooder chicks need fresh air in 

 abundance. This point is too often overlooked. 



After a few days the chicks may be allowed brief 

 excursions outside the hover, but in order to prevent 

 their getting lost, it is well to make a little yard of 

 poultry netting arranged in a half circle, so that as 

 a chick moves along it, he will be guided back into 

 the hover and comfort. Corners should be avoided ; 

 chicks get into them and huddle there until chilled. 



The same kind of feed as that described for 

 broods with hens will answer as well for brooder 

 orphans. It should be fed regularly, though, and 

 four times a day for two weeks. Too much should 

 not be given at a time, the purpose being to keep 

 the youngsters busy from daylight until darkness, 

 except at napping times. They will soon learn to 

 scratch in the litter. The mash should be given at 

 ten days. If a commercial growing mash is not 

 available and something more than bran and beef 

 scraps is desired, a very good mash may be made by 

 combining three parts of bran, one part of corn 

 meal, one part of middlings and one part of high- 

 grade beef scraps. There is an easy way of mixing 

 a mash of this kind, which is worth knowing about 

 if there is much mash to be made. If a revolving 



