REARING CHICKS WITH HENS. 



Simple, Sucxessf ul Methods of Caring for Little Chicks Reared 



by the Mother Hen— Taking off the Hatch— The Feed 



for the First Three Weeks — Brood Coops and 



Where to Place Them — How to Destroy Lice 



and Mites — Main Features of the Work. 



By Geo. D. Holden. 



This is a subject ever old, yet ever new; something new 

 regarding it may be learned each season, although the 

 fancier may have had years of experience; but it is the poul- 

 tryman of little experience rather than the old breeder that 

 this article is intended for. 



It is the chicks with the mother hen of which we wish to 

 treat, and as the average fancier raises most of his chicks 

 in this way it is a subject of general interest. We will sup- 

 pose that the mother hen has been given proper care during 

 the three weeks she has been on the nest and that the chicks 

 may, be "supposed " to be free from lice. To be on the safe 

 side each chick should have its head and throat well greased 

 upon being taken from the nest. For this purpose we have 

 found lard mixed with a little carbolineum liquid lice killer 

 to be a fine thing; enough of the liquid to turn the lard a 

 light brown in color. With this mixture grease the top and 

 sides of the head and the throat; this will kill any lice that 

 may have fastened themselves upon the chick, and gives the 

 little fellow a fair chance for his life. When the chicks are 

 to be marked by punching the webs of the feet it should be 

 done at the time of taking them from the nest, not leaving 

 it until they are older with the chance of not being able to 

 identify them again. 



Taking off the Hatch. 



It should be understood that the chicks should not be 

 taken from the nest until at least thirty-six hours old, at 



