REARING THE YOUNG BIRDS 



143 



feet should house through the growing season 50 birds. If 

 more than this number are put in such a house, their growth 

 will be slow and they will be small at maturity. 



Advantage of Free Range. — When possible the growing 

 stock should be given plenty of range to roam over (Fig. 77) . 

 There are many reasons why free range is an advantage. 

 It induces plentiful exercise, which means health ; it reduces 

 the cost of feed by providing natural green grass and weed 

 seeds. The birds also secure many grubs and insects which 

 take the place of meat in their rations. Free range is 

 cleanly, while small yards are easily contaminated. 



Fia. 77. — ^Legtom pullets being reared on free range. The shelters are placed near 

 the corn field to give shade. 



Necessity of Green Feed. — To promote the best growth 

 the chicks require an abimdance of succulent material, that 

 is, green growing plants, such as grass, weeds, and grains. 

 On free range plenty of this green feed will be foimd. But 

 it is often necessary to keep the youngsters in a limited 

 area, or to confine them because of some garden crop which 

 they may injure. Under these circumstances, double yarding 

 can be resorted to. Double yarding is dividing the total 

 space for the birds into two yards, and placing the house 

 exactly in the center, therefore, partly ia each yard. The 



