316 



COMMERCIAL POULTRY RAISING 



is easily done by dipping the bills of two or three chicks in the 

 water. They will catch on to the idea in a few minutes, where- 

 upon the rest of the flock will quickly imitate them. 



Feed little but often, is the slogan to be adopted in the brooder. 

 This is especially important with flocks which are confined in- 

 doors, or leg weakness is 

 apt to result. Chicks on 

 free range are not sus- 

 ceptible to this ailment. 

 Leg weakness comes 

 from excessive feeding 

 without sufficient exer- 

 cise; the bodies of the 

 chicks become too heavy 

 for the muscles and bones 

 of the legs, consequently 

 the chicks are unable to 

 walk or stand. They 

 present a pitiable ap- 

 pearance and are likely 

 to be trampled and killed 

 by the rest of the flock. 

 ^ On the morning of the 

 third day, which is to 

 say when the chicks are 

 forty-eight hours old, 

 give them a light meal 

 of easily digested food, 

 preferably soft food, 

 which has been sprinkled with fine grit. Repeat this feeding 

 every two or three hours, so that the chicks receive four or five 

 meals a day. 



The first feed may consist of bread crumbs moistened with 

 milk, bread crumbs and hard-boiled eggs ground fine, shells and 

 all, johnnycake, or pinhead oatmeal. Food moistened with 

 milk is of great value in giving the chicks a good start, but the 



Fig. 207.- 



(Courtesy Prairie Slate Incubator Company) 



-Small lamp hovers are easily moved 

 from place to place. 



