4 
Farmers' Bulletin ii08. 
should be taken, however, not to get too much grease on the chickens, 
as it will stop their growth and in some cases may prove fatal 
“Toe punch ” or mark each chick before transferring to the brood 
coop, so that the age can be readily determined after maturity. 
KEEP THE CHICKS WARM. 
Every poultry-club member should always bear in mind that 
newly hatched chicks are delicate little fellows and must be treated 
with care. They hatch in a temperature of 102° to 105° F., and 
their first and most important requirement for the next 48 hours 
Fig. 1.— a “hatful” of baby chicks just taken from the nest. They were less than 24 hours old when 
the picture was taken, and only a few were thoroughly awake. 
or more is warmth. As soon as the chicks have been taken from 
the nest or incubator and placed in the brood coop with the mother 
hen, or in the brooder, they must be kept warm and comfortable 
until they are old and strong enough to run about and withstand 
the changes of weather. 
When brooded by hens the chicks remain under the mother of 
their own accord nearly all the time for the first two or three days. 
The hen should be confined to the brood coop until the chicks are 
weaned, while the chickens should be allowed free range if possible 
after they are a few days old. 
If they are to be reared in a brooder, the brooder should be warmed 
to the proper temperature (about 95° F.), regulated and made 
