CHAPTER XI 
HOW TO TREAT DAY-OLD CHICKENS 
F it is decided to rear stock from day-old chickens purchased 
I at a distance, certain preparations should be made for their 
reception. On arrival the box should be carefully opened in 
a room before a fire if the weather be at all cold. It is absolutely 
necessary that the birds should be kept warm. If they are to be 
reared under a broody hen the chickens should be kept warmly 
indoors till the evening, when they should be introduced to their 
“mother.” Occasionally a broody hen may not care to raise an 
alien brood, but as a rule there is no difficulty. If possible, there- 
fore, another broody should be kept in reserve. We shall suppose 
that the hens have been properly dusted with insect-powder and 
are free from insects. They should also have been sitting on a 
few eggs in suitable nests. When darkness obscures the vision of 
the broody, and she is in asomnolent state, slip a few chickens under 
her and remove the eggs. If she sits tight for a short time one 
can safely place the remaining chickens under her. If, however, 
she appears restless, and refuses to sit, she should be rejected and 
another hen tried. If she is kindly disposed to the chicks, as is 
likely, she will probably croon to the birds and sit tight. There 
will be no further trouble. 
If it be decided to bring up the chicks in an artificial brooder 
it must be clean and warm. About 90° is a suitable heat for the 
sleeping chamber. Care must be taken that there is plenty of 
oil in the lamp and that the wick is burning brightly. Test the 
brooder thoroughly before the chickens arrive and work it in accord- 
ance with the maker’s instructions, which are usually printed on 
the inside. There is no difficulty about working a brooder. All 
that is necessary is to make sure that the lamp burns properly and 
that the temperature be kept reasonably steady. When the sun 
G 97 
