REARING FROM INCUBATORS 93 
level, the birds should not be interfered with again until they have 
removed most of the dry grain. 
The following chick feed has been found to give good results 
mixed thoroughly in equal parts by measure :— 
1. Finely kibbled wheat. 
2. 3 45 maize. 
3. Rolled breakfast oats or coarse oatmeal. 
The smaller the particles of grain the longer the chickens must 
work for its recovery. In passing the grain through the kibbling 
machine a certain proportion of flour is produced. This fine 
material should be sifted out of the mixture and used in the dry 
mash, as it would not be recoverable from the litter. The wheat 
and oat flakes of this mixture will retain their positions in the litter 
far more evenly than small seeds and grains. 
A portable hover should be prepared and placed upon a square 
board which rests upon the surface of the deep litter bed in one 
comer of the coop. The board should be just large enough to 
form a floor for the hover. Upon it should be placed a bed of 
long wheat straw of sufficient depth to keep the chicks from coming 
into contact with the board at any point. This long straw, if 
properly laid down, with the blades arranged more or less in a 
circle, will act as a filter for the droppings, which dry and fall 
through the straw on to the surface of the wood. The droppings 
can be removed every day or every second day according to 
circumstances. Straw so placed remains in position and cannot 
be scratched away by the chickens. 
It is of great importance to regulate the temperature so that it 
meets the requirements of the chickens ; extremes of temperature 
should be carefully avoided. A thermometer cannot be regarded 
as a sufficient guide in itself and it is better to observe closely the 
action of the chickens themselves. If the hover is too cold, the 
birds will crowd towards the lamp, a practice which is very detri- 
mental to their health. It is a habit easily acquired and, if once 
learnt, only eradicated with difficulty. If, on the other hand, 
there is too much heat, the chickens will pant, become restless, 
