THE YEAR'S WORK 151 



should be disposed of, unless of special value. It 

 is poor policy to feed a lot of useless roosters all 

 Summer. 



The chicks should be carefully shut in at night, 

 so that they will not fall victims to rats, skunks or 

 thieving cats. It is better to use wire netting with 

 a very fine mesh on the windows and doors, how- 

 ever, than to shut out the air. 



If there are hawks about and the chicks are on 

 range, provide numerous brush heaps where the 

 youngsters can find shelter. 



Dwarf Essex rape may be planted this month and 

 will make excellent green feed in a few weeks. It 

 should be cared for like cabbage. When the plants 

 are a foot high, break off the leaves, and they will 

 grow again. 



If chicks of different ages are running together, 

 the small ones may be crowded away from the feed 

 boxes. To avoid this, make a covered frame of 

 slats sufficiently far apart so that the little chicks 

 can pass through, while the older ones can not. 

 Feed the babies in this frame and they will be able 

 to eat in comfort. The same method may be used 

 to prevent the old hen wasting the rations of the 

 chicks. 



