Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-09-04
Raising and Fattening Market Chicks

l have tried several ways of fattcr-
irS chicks for market and find my last
experiment has given The best results
The first few weeks have a great daal
to do with little chicks future. Ny
chicks get their first feed when about
sc hours old. This is Il standard chick
feed. which contains grit and charcoal.
Feeding is Contincud once a day after
the first few days, preferably in the
morning. until the chicks are four
weeks old. The other three meals con-
sist of cracked corn, or other dry
grains. with occasionally little mash
composed Of one part meat rrnal to
nine parts hominy wet up with skim
milk. Where hard. dry grains are
used, the digestive organs are called IN
on to do their part. and consequently
are given plenty Of exercise Which
causes them TO be healthy and well
developed.
As soon as possible, | pick out All
the little cockerels ana put them III pens
to fatten for market. Not over II should
be kept in one pen to get the best re
suits. The coopS should be fitted up
with perches 3 to inches from the
s''i, l'f t''t >lil'iil WIG 'iSs tiity SIbN
n.uc n faster after they begin 10 sit on
the pcrchcs than when huddlcd to-
Ecthcr on the floor which should he
removable, 50 il can he cleaned easily
The coCps must nc well ventilated and
great care taken to keep the chicks FREQ
from lice. One need have but little
trouble i'll that r"SneCt il he Will
watch carefully and dust thoroughly
with good lice powder. Perfect
cleanliness is q great factor in raising
chicks. one cannot keep them iii filthy
coops and pens, and find them with
keen appetite. This is very essential,
d., the more food they aSsimilate. the
more profit there is. Grit should BE-
within their reach always. also plenty
of clean water or milk. Our yards for
small chicks are made of boards. and
are ) feet wide and from 8 to T. feet
long, covered with poultry netting.
They are changed to clean ground
every week. and while the chicks are
small they are given a grassy place il
possible.
AS soon as the little cockrclS are
placed III the pens to fattcn, | feed
tho mash of hominy. meat meal and
skim milk for their morning meal.
cracked corn for their dinner. and all
the clear hominy mash they can eat at
night. | have tried keeping food be
fore them constantly. but find the
chicks do not consume as much and
consequently do not fatten as quickly,
as when fed just what they can clean
up. II any food remains after they
stop eating eagerly. it is always taken
away. They are then ready for their
next meal, be it three or four times
daily. Scalded provender gives very
good results. so does scalded corn meal.
If did not have the skim milk to use,
l would scald all the feed.
When | cannot have a grassy run for
the chicks. a little clover or other
green feed is given occasionally. They
do not need much green feed while
fattening, and it is preferable to stop
giving it several days before market
ing. Should the chicks show a pale
" bite skin. and fail to yellow up.
they can be made more presentable by
adding little cottonseed meal to the
mash. For about ten days previous to
this will put the desired. color
into the fat underneath the skin. +