Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-06-15
Care OF Growing CbicEs.

The critical time in the life of young chick
ems is during the three or four days after the,
are Matched out, and nearly ninety per cent o.
those that are lost die during this period. Fol
the first twenty-four hours the little one,
should not be disturbed The whole broot
should be kept under the mothers warn
feathers In a dark place, for II is lowering ant
not food that they need. When they are frs,
taken out to be fed they should be given a va
riety OF food. Bread crumbs rubbed into milk
warm moist bran, or hard eggs make the hes,
diet for the first few days. The chicks should
be fed often, and little at a time. On the
fourth or fifth day cracked or crushed wheat
may be thrown into the pen. which the chicks
Will pick at and learn to eat gradually. At this
period milk or water should also be fed to
them in clean vessels.
The hen should be kept in coop for at leas,
q week, otherwise she will wander away with
her brood and exhaust them before their legs
are strong enough to endure the strain. MANY
make the mistake Of turning the hen loose toe
soon, and the result Is that dead chicks are
found here and there in the yard each night
l have seen half dozen die from exhaustion
in this way from one brood. II q rainstorm
comes up many Of the little ones will be killed
from the exposure or by the rain and wind
The mother will not look to their protection az
carefully as if confined in q coop. The coon
should also be placed in q very sheltered posi-
mother and her young.
THE YOUNG CHICKENS
should NOT be stinted in their diet until after
the downy coverings have gone, and good
coat Of feathers has appeared. The moultipe
season is another critical time In their lives.
and If they are not generously supplied with
good wholesome food they are liable to sicken
and die from little exposure or changes In the
weather. The strong tissues Of the body are
now being formed, and they should be liber-
ally supplied with egg-shells, oyster-sheIIs. or
bones. Their craving for such food will mani
fest itself at once. The egg-shells should be
dried before the fire, and then ground as finely
as corn-meal. The oyster and clam-shelis
should be pounded and crushed In the same
way. The bones should be burnt and crushed
as far as possible. and the whole mixed MP to-
gether. If distributed around the yard where
the chickens have been accustomed to find food
they will eat freely of this mixture every day.
To be very particular about the food it would
be an improvement upon this plan to mix the
ground shells and bones with corn-meal. and
cook the mess before the fire. Add little
hnseed meal, and feed the chicks with II eyery
morning. Such diet as this supplies The
chickens not simply with fat, but with the ele-
ments necessary for the growth of feathers.
bone and muscle. II they are not allowed Id
roam about in woods and fields they should
have chopped-up fresh vegetables. Usually the
tops of vegetables that are thrown away before
using ON the table will do for this. Such . diet.
think, will answer all purposes, and give the
young chickens Q good start In life, which is
necessary for their future growth.
8. CHAxBx1s.