The Middlebury register and Addison County journal. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1883-1885, 1884-03-07
Management of Younu Chicks,

Management of Young Chicks,
In the rearing of chicks, particularly
early ones, says correspondent of the
Country Gentleman, the hen must be con-
fined during the pleasant portion of the
day, so that the chicks may have the ad-
vantage of running and scratching in the
open air. This is an important means to
success. In former years 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 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; thcs. re-
quire the tender nursing and brooding of
the hen. Her attention is directed to-
ward the smart ones, and her whole de-
sire is to be abroad with them, consc-
quently the puny ones suffer.
Early broods need protection, and
must be housed in buildings at night.
Of late years. / have tied the hen in a
warm, sunny locality, on pleasant days.
l give her "A string about yard long, fas-
tening it securely to pin, post, or tree,
close to the ground. Iusc piece of soft
'1ist" about half an inch in width. l
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 q basket and
cover with a 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 bcak to loosen
it; but the more furious her trials to es-
cape, the sooner she gives up and sub
mits. My fowls are gentle and accus-
toned to being handled, and are not cas-
lily frightened on my approach.
When sobered down, 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 con-
tiguous, l 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 accus-
toned 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 veg
etables and gather many insects and
worms, doing no harm whatever. l keep
her in this one place until the chicks are
weaned, which will be in the course of
three or four weeks, according 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 hen 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 NAV not
understand that fowls should early be
trained in the ways they are to go. do
not put my chicks out when young and
the season is chilly until the sun is well
up, say about 8, or 10 o'clock, accord
ing to the warmth of the weather and
age of chicks. have Il building for the
purpose of housing the chicks at night.
When young they 90 in at p. NJ, are
fed and put to roost in the basket, and
covered. At p. NJ, they are fed again
and put to roost for the night.