Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1906-06-01
agricultural.
DRY FEEDING FOR CHICKS.

This is q modern innovation and the
results are good enough to warrant its
general adoption. In my boyhood days
almost the sole feed for the growing
chicks was cornmeal wet with water to
q more or less mushy state. Some of
the chicks lived and grew to an age Of
usefulness, but most Of them died.
Those that did live were usually strong
and hardy, and needed to be, for it was
q common practice in those days to let
the fowls roost throughout the winter
in trees and open sheds. So it was
probably a case of the survival of the
fittest all around.
A few years ago visited the farm of
a wealthy admirer of pit games. He
had about !, 200 of these amiable crea-
lures in his yards. The greater num-
Der Of them were male birds. These were
largely raised for him by farmers. He
furnished the eggs from his own stock,
and the farmers were paid good price
for raising the young birds. inquired
whether he followed any particular rules
in raising them. He said that he did
not; that he didn't care how many or
how few were raised or how poorly they
we're treated. If the chicks were ex-
posed to hardships the weaker ones
would perish, and only the strong, Wig
orous be left. These latter were ell he
cared for.
But most poultrymen and farmers
wish to raise all the chicks possible.
To do this the best known methods must
be followed. Many have been prac-
ticing the dry.feedIng method for sew
eral years, but a great many more are
still unaware of its advantages. Last
spring l used one of the best-known
brands of chick foods. composed of a
mixture of grains and seeds Of various
kinds. 1t was SO satisfactory that l
recommended it to my neighbors with
the result of better success oil around.
This dry feeding is one Of the easiest
things imaginable. There are several
brands of these prepared feeds, alike in
general character, but differing in minor
details. All consist Of greater or less
variety of seeds and broken grains.
while some contain in addition beef
scrap, charcoal and grit. They are
supposed to contain these different ele-
ments in just the right proportion to
secure to the chick just what he needs
to make the most rapid and healthful
growth. A man doesn't have to be a
scientist to use these, for someone else
has worked out the problems. But he
gets the benefits just the same; and SO
do the chicks.
There's no great trick in feeding. At
first, until the little chicks get used to
it, scatter the feed on a board or on
paper. Then put it in chat, cut clover
or similar material, and let them scratch.
That's all, except to keep them clean
and supplied with water.
These feeds differ in prices and in
composition. Some lack grit and are
higher in price. We have found the
big hest-priced ones generally the best.
1t takes such small amount, compare
lively. to feed young chick till he is
several weeks old that the cost Of the
feed cuts little figure.
We generally feed some green food
in addition-lettuce, cabbage. beets, and
later, grass, clover, rape, millet, etc.
When the chick reaches nearly the
broiler stage We give more fattening
foods, with milk when we have it, the
latter being excellent for mixing q mash
once day Farming.