CONSTITUTIONAL VIGOR 



93 



incubator and keep them steadily developing. Not 

 alone this, but the process of elimination must begin 

 early. 



Few poultrymen have the courage to cull as closely 

 as they should, and this is more nearly true of the 

 great number of nonprofessionals, who have small 

 flocks. Some will take the weak and sickly chicks 

 from the incubator and by coddling and doctoring 

 them possibly save their lives, but seldom do such 

 chicks amount to much in the end. Who would care 

 to buy chicks from such stocks? 



It is better by far to kill all the weaklings and 

 cripples as soon as they are discovered. It is much 

 preferable to have less chicks and have them vigor- 

 ous and healthy, thereby assisting to build up the 

 flock. 



Give the chicks every attention during the brooder 

 period, feeding regularly the first few days, and 

 looking after their every want. Feed them good 

 clean commercial chick food, composed of small 

 grains, and a dry mash of wheat bran and middlings. 

 Supply them with plenty of fresh water, grit, char- 

 coal, and a little meat in some form. 



In order to produce strong, healthy hens there 

 must be no check to the chicks' growth, but, on the 

 other hand, it is not advisable to force them. Pullets 

 may be hastened to maturity and their laying stim- 

 ulated in various ways, but it will surely weaken the 

 constitution and destroy the hen's value as a breeder. 



