The Lynden tribune. [volume] (Lynden, Wash.) 1908-current, 1912-06-06
BY H. L. Blanchard, Assistant Superih-
tendent. Western Washington Ex-
pertinent Station, Puyallup, Wh.

tendent. Western Washington Ex-
pertinent Station, Puyallup, WIN.
From information that reaches us dai-
ly 1t would appear that the mortality "a
mong young chicks this spring has been
and continues to be greater than usual.
Much data would be required in order
to arrive at an intelligent opinion as to
the various causes in individual cases
That the losses are due to general ep-
idemic is hardly probable. In the WIFI
ers opinion there are three causes that
chiefly contribute to such loss. namely.
mistakes in the general management OF
the breeding pens mistakes In brooo-
ing mistakes in feeding, and neglect.
The thing above everything else that
should be very carefully guarded Is the
physical condition of the parent stock.
which should be kept vigorous ana
healthy by suitable environment. and
wholesome feed. which should CON-
prise variety. Proper exercise cannot
safely be omitted. Under such condi-
tions only can eggs suitable for hatch
Ing be obtained With such eggs tncu-
baton ought to be certain and safe,
whether with hens or machines.
The first week and the last twenty
four hours of incubation are the most
critical times The eggs need not be dis
turbed until the third day, and then Tor
u week should be handled very gently.
Better matches and better chicks can be
expected when moisture is applied In
some form from the time the eggs be-
gin to pip until the hatch is over. We
find a veryconvenient way to apply the
moisture is by the use OF saturated
sponge or flannel in water and held in
n low dish just beneath the tray. Un-
der these conditions the chicks are
stronger, and present al
brighter appearance. Allowed to re-
main in the incubator twelve to twen-
ty hours after the hatch is over, they
ought to be removed to a brooder, the
Of which is about ninety
five degrees. The ventilation of the
b,ooder is very important. Poor venti-
ia,ion results in weak chicks, which are
very hard to raise. There needs to be
a weekly drop in the temperature OF the
brcoder of five degrees until seventy
degrees is reached, when there should
be DO further artificial heat. Fireless
Towers are all right when very CAREFUL
ly cared for and kept sanitary and well
These hovers early in the
season had best be operated In a room
HAVING a temperature of about seventy
five degrees.
Different persons adopt a different sys-
EN- in feeding baby chicks. Their first
fox had best be such as is most easi-
ly digested. and they should not be fed
too soon. Allowing that some of the
chicks are about twenty-four hours old
wi. II the hatch is over and that the
first feed can safely be given when the
cli ks are about forty-eight hours old,
feeding can begin on the second day af-
ter the hatch is over. While there are
man. methods of feeding the baby
chicks every successful method de-
mauds good wholesome feed that shall
he fed in a cleanly and sanitary way
Obsel wing these conditions the follow
ng rations can be recommended
Tor the first day there is nothing
better than raw egg mixed with stale
bread crumbs and slightly moistened
with sweet milk, to be fed in connec-
ton with chick grit. 1t is yet question
able If the baby chicks require water to
drink until three weeks of age. Many
poultrymen claim not, and
who prefer sweet skim milk. claiming
water to be injurious. The writer is
studying the question. 1t Is pretty Well
settled that the young chicks needs
n nf oodc nd
1t is not advisable to confine the feed
20 single grain for instance, cracked
wheat, since they will often gorge them
selvt,. when the wheat swells in the
crop and kills them. After the chicks
become a few days of age there is not
this danger since they appear to de-
M. nd more of a variety as they grow
older. It'd bits Of green grass or weeds
cut fine, in the absence of lettuce
or cabbage, is very necessary from the
beginning. They are an aid to diges-
ticn, and serve as a tonic in the pre-
,c,tion of the numerous ills to which
the young chicks SO often fall heir.
When two or three weeks Of age a good
range is very desirable AS soon as their
bodies become well feathered. great care
should be taken sin not subjecting the
chicks to an overly warm brooder, which
has debilitating effect. and is certain
to be followed by many deaths. The
person who attempts to raise chickens
successfully must be constantly study
ing their needs, and seeing that their
needs are supplied every day for at
least the first six or eight weeks. when
II on a range they will be partly able to
care for themselves. To illustrate, what
would become of the mother hens brood
were she to neglect them very much
each day? 1t would be only very few
days when the entire brood would dis
appear, in most cases. We feel sure
that il we would see to 1t that the
young chicks received the natural care
in a much greater degree than they do.
the many losses that are being report
ed would become very greatly reduced.
If studying and working to prevent
trouble were more generally practiced.
the percentage of losses would be very
greatly reduced.
A bulletin on Potato Growing" by
O. NJ. Morris, horticulturist of the
Washington state college contains some