292 



COMMERCIAL POULTRY RAISING 



times the hens are driven from their nests to escape torment 

 from the pests. 



It is unwise to dust the hens at hatching time, unless one is 

 famiHar with the nature of the insect powder, because some of 



them are of such strength 

 that they may inj ure or kill 

 the newly hatched chicks. 

 As soon as the chicks are a 

 week old it is safe to dust 

 the mother, and this dust- 

 ing should be repeated 

 weekly until the chicks are 

 weaned. If, despite these 

 efforts, the chicks are 

 bothered with head lice, 

 which sap their vitality 

 and stunt their growth, it 

 is necessary to grease the 

 heads of the chicks with 

 lard or carbolated vase- 

 line. This method will 

 drive the lice away, and 

 tend to prevent others 

 from coming. 



Feeding. — It is a good 

 plan to feed the sitters at 

 regular times each day, for 

 this teaches them to expect 

 it at certain intervals, and 

 they will come off the 

 nests, eat and return, 

 promptly. Whole grain should be fed together with a dry mash, but 

 nothing in the shape of sloppy feed should be given, because moist 

 food tends to loosen the bowels. Provide clean water in abun- 

 dance, grit and charcoal. In warm weather it is a good plan to place 

 a can of water beside each nest, so that the hen can drink at will 



{Courtesy Wisconsin Experiment Station) 



Fig. 187. — Sitting hens should be carefully 

 dusted to eradicate vermin. 



