The Grit-advocate., 1903-03-06
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Growing Early Chicks.

From Farmers Review: At this
this vocation is little thought Of, but
with the introduction Of the incuba-
tor and artificial hroodinS system,
many of our wide-awake farmers are
beginning to realize that there Is a
good profit in growing a bunch Of
broilers for the early market as well
as getting stock Of early matured
pullets for next winters egg produc-
ton. The main requisite to be consid-
cred at this time is whether the lay
Ing stock which we have on hand is
in proper condition to furnish us with
well formed. fertile eggs. If they
have been well housed and cared for
during the cold weather, there is lit
tie question as to their ability to fur
nish eggs containing the. proper
amount OF stamina to promote the
growth and form of hatched chick.
However, If the fowls have been al
lowed to roost in trees and open
sheds over the farm machinery and
allowed to wade about in the snow
and frost all winter there is little use
OF the farmer thinking of competing
with his more faithful neighbor in the
broiler trade, for such hens will not
lay any eggs until warm weather is
well along.
Although we use an incubator in
Matching we have found it doubly
profitable at this time of year to set a
few hens along with the machine, TAX
Ing portion Of them to hover the
early hatched chicks.
We do not give the hen more than
thirteen eggs at this season, as more
than that taxes her animal temper
ature too greatly and she is not as
likely to hatch as large per cent of
her eggs.
AS soon as she is set we arrange
to feed each Of them all the shelled
corn they will eat with plenty Of wa
ter. charcoal and shells. This pro-
notes their condition and induces
plenty OF animal heat and gives off
the required conditions of tempera-
ture to induce a successful hatch.
Nest boxes that are intended for early
Matching must be lined with plenty
OF dry chaff and placed in protected
quarters, away from drafts of cold air
and severe weather. 1t is quite en-
parrasslng to attempt to care for
nock OF chicks in heavy spring
snowstorm, and unless good, roomy
poultry house is at hand little can be
done at raising early chicks. We
nave on our farm nicely ventilated,
warmly built poultry house 14x56 feet,
"here we can allow our early chicks
to pass by the stormest of weather,
regardless OF outward conditions.
1t is necessary to keep alert at this
season and not allow the chicks to
become chilled, as bowel disorders
Will follow, usually fatal. Feeding
these early chicks properly is voca-
ton of itself, yet at this early period
1t Is not possible to get much soured
tood before them, which is so fata, to
chicks later in the season. We find
that 1t is necessary to feed them sew
eral times per day, as they cannot
command animal heat sufficient to di-
gest full feed, and, indeed, which a
growing chick should never have, for
one which has been allowed to gorge
Itself will seldom digest the food prop
erly and thereby cause indigestion
and dysentery. A little study of the
needs OF the flock vill soon ascertain
the proper amount Of feed to be
placed before the flock to keep them
In proper growing condition.-Geo.
w. Brown, Hancock Co., Ohio.