The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1913-05-30
Agriculture Extension.

ems IN TINS state Is very n1Rn.
largo percentage of this loss is due
to Encouragement. At the Expert
mint Station we have had splendid
y 5ecess in raising young chicks.
The vitality Of the young birds de-
ponds very largely on the vigor of
the birds that lay the eggs. We have
faund that we get the best results
from eggs that are produced at that
time in the spring when the flock
is allowed considerable range on
grass and other green crops. During
the winter it is a common practice
among poultrymen TO house their
birds closely. At this time fertility
and vitality are very low, while later
when the birds get out of doors, these
qualities incease.
We have found that, in comparison
with the incubator and brooder, the
hen can very satisfactorily hatch the
eggs and care of the chicks. We make
the nests out of hay or some material
that Is fine in texture. Straw is ath-
er coarse and allows the heat of the
broody hen to escape, while the hay
holds the heat in the nest.
When the chicks are Matched we
keep them in the incubator, or al
low them to stay with the mother IL
hours before feeding anything. Then
we, feed a fine chick grit and supply
luxe warm water. The next day we
give the first feed of fine cracked
chick feed. Rolled oats are valuable
but We have had splendid results
frop feeding nothing but chick feed
andSgrit for the first week. At the
end OF ten days we feed finely pow
dered grow fed" which has in it
beef scrap, fish scrap. wheat shorts
and some other ingedients. The young
bids are very fond of this and IL
makes them grow rapidly. We also
sprinkle powdered charcoal in the
feed once a day. Clean water is sup
piled in sanitary fountain. The
water is changed several times
day, as the chicks require a very
large quantity Of water. When the
chicks are about two weeks old we
pull a handful Of green colver, tie
the stems together with a string and
hang the bunch Of green material
where the little chicks can pull off
the leaves. Too much feed will cause
scours, but some OF 1t Is needed.
The earthworm serves as a host
for the cape worm. Therefore chicks
that are allowed to roam over infect
ed ground will contract gapes. BY
keeping our young chicks on ground
that has not become infected,we have
never had case of gapes at this
station.
q When the chicks are with the hen
we provide warm nesting box
separated from the remainder Of the
flock. II we are brooding the birds
under q heated hover We are very
caSnful to keep the temperature at
1903 degrees F. while the chicks are
young. II the young birds become
chilled they will be weakened. Any
deformed or weak chicks are killed
during the first twelve hours OF
their lives. Ii is not a good practice
to take weak chicks from the in
cubator and allow them to run with
their stronger mates. because they
will contract diseases and infect
the entire flock.
II there are no trees In the yard
where we put the young birds, we
provide shade by making an awning
out of feed sacks, or cotton cloth.
Sunflowers also make good shade.
II the young birds when they are
month old can run in cultivated
field, it gives them exercise and fur
nishes considerable feed.
BY following these methods we have
had a splendid success in the rear
ing of young BIRDS. J. HOOPER,
Professor of Animal Husbandry, Col