CHAPTER XII 



RAISING CHICKENS WITH HENS 



When the chicks axe hatched beneath the 

 mother-hen there is always a temptation to find 

 out how many there are, and to meddle with the 

 old lady. At this point, however, she can be 

 trusted to care for her little ones in the best way 

 herself. One thing that may safely be done, how- 

 ever, is to clear away pieces of shell about the nests, 

 and all droppings and other litter. 



Remember that the chick absorbs the egg yolk 

 before he comefe out, and this provides him amply 

 during the first forty-eight hours. He does not 

 need food, and he ought not to have it. 



It frequently happens, however, that a few 

 chicks run out arotmd the mother before she is 

 ready to leave the nest with the others, and it is a 

 good plan to sprinkle some chick grit, some char- 

 coal, and some cracked dry bone in chick size, on 



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