St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1884-03-08
Management Of Young Chicks.

HAH0SCuACAO VI 4OuNE5 OuAChSs
In the rearing of chicks, particularly
early ones, the hen must be confined
during the pleasant portion of the day,
so that the chicks may have the advan-
tage of running and scratching in the
open air. This is an important means
to success. In former years l used
coops to keep the hens confined, but
finally gave them up. During the day,
when the hen was confined and the
chicks abroad, there was a constant
struggle on her part to get out. She
was restless and impatient, and, as in
all broods, there are some little ones
more delicate than the others; these re-
quire the tender nursing and brooding
of the hen. Her attention is directed
toward the smart ones, and her whole
desire is to be abroad with them, con-
sequently the puny ones suffer.
Early broods need protection, and
must be housed in buildings at night.
Of late years, / have tied the hen in
warm, sunny locality, on pleasant days.
| give her string about a yard long,
fastening it securely to a pin, post, or
tree close to the ground. I use a piece
of soft 1'list" about half an inch in
width. make moose in the end, and
slip the hens leg through it. The
harder the fowl pulls, the tighter the
loop, but being soft and broad, does no
injury. When first commencing this
operation, place the chicks all safely
in basket, and cover with q blanket,
so that they may not escape, and then
allow the hen to try her best to escape.
At first hen that is new to the business
will fly, tug at the string, and use her
beak to loosen it; but the more furious
her trials to escape, the sooner she
gives up and submits. My fowls are
gentle and accustomed to being handled,
and are not easily frightened on my
approach.
When sobered down, I place some
food before her, and give her the chicks.
Then she is delighted, and clucks and
calls them up to her. AS the garden is
contiguous, | anchor her in one corner
where she can do no damage by scratch
ing, and be under supervision if any ac-
cident occur. She soon becomes ac-
customed to the business, and becomes
quiet. She has plenty OF loose earth,
and scratches it over day after day,
while the little ones run among the
early vegetables, and gather many in
sects and worms, doing no harm what
ever. keep her in this one place I'M
til the chicks are Weaned, which will be
in the course of three or four weeks, ac-
cording to the age of the hen, and the
quantity of food allowed her. A young
hen will wean her chicks soonest, often
too early for their good. After the
chicks are weaned, the Den is put into
the yard with the layers, and the chicks
keep on in their old runs. the lettering
post being their feeding place. In this
manner they miss the mother very little,
and do not pine at all.
My method, perhaps, is a little differ.
ent from that of the majority, but it is
simple and well adapted to my con-
veniences and purposes. All may not
understand that fowls should early be
trained in the ways they are to 60. I
do not put my chicks out when young
and the season is chilly, until the sun is
well up, say about eight, nine, or ten
o'clock, according to the warmth of the
weather and age of chicks. [ have
building for the purpose of housing the
chicks at night When young, they go
in at two p. M, are fed and put to roost
in the basket, and covered. At four p.
m. they are fed again and put to roost
for the night. Cor. Country Gentle.
man.