Milford chronicle., 1914-04-24

I tuC greater pol Lluu ol IT, lue DdlduCe
being supplied by the farmer. And,
invariably, he makes little or no effort
to give the chick what it most needs /;
generally supplying whole corn, the
feeding Of which is the most economical
and easiest.
While it is true that the chick on
range will find and pick up many seeds,
to say nothing of the worm food which
it gets, nevertheless. the seeds thus
found are far insufficient to furnish the
necessary fat-fOrming elements needed
for the chicks development
Slow growth and spring laying gen
orally is the result of free range diet
alone. In order to obtain quick growth
more rapid maturity, heavier fowls and
fall and winter laying stock, it is nee
essary to supply the birds with balanc-
ed ration of fat-fOrming foods in addition
to that which is picked up on the free
range. Then, too. the youngsters reared
on range, with an additional allowance
of whole corn las is usually supplied by
the farmer are generally scraggy fowls
! that have more or less bowel trouble.
brought about by too much insect food
with nothing to counterfeit its effects.
For growing stock, however, a ration
preventing the necessity for range is pro
| vided. There are, of course, many kinds
of growing foods used, ranging from
baked cakes to bran and corn.
As a growing food, offering but few
complications, the following mixture will
be found an excellent one and may be
used with good success Bran, one part (;
Cornmeal, one part Middlings, one part;
Ground Oats. one part Alfalfa Meal,
one-fourth part and Beef Scrap, one
fourth part. This, however, is not the
only form of food that should be given.
In connection with it you will obtain good
results by feeding balanced grain ration
consisting of cracked corn, whole wheat
and hulled oats in equal parts, together
with a small amount (abOut one eighth
part each) of cracked sunflOwer seed,
millet and kafiir corn. The last named,
however, are not of much benefit, being
fed almost entirely for their attractive
ness rather than for their food value.
The natural question to arise is. How
long shall this ration be continued" In
as much as it is prescribed, or rather
offered, solely as a growing ration, let
US so regard it and continue its use until
such time as we must change to a per-
manent laying ration.
Before entering upon what constitutes
a good laying ration, let us stop long
enough to touch upon one or two very
important matters relative to the rear
ing of little chicks.
First, we will suppose that the i'm
pOrtant details necessary to success have
been strictly observed, so far as the
proper raising and mating Of the parent
stock is concerned, and that the little
ones are strong, healthy and vigorous
specimens.
Should you already be following the
above method of feeding. or some plan
equally as good, do not rely entirely upon
this and then complain and blame the
method if the birds die off rapidly. There
are other. and just as important things,
to consider for the welfare of the chick.
While the season is yet in its infancy,
there is to be seen in many a poultry
yard and on many farm, the familiar
form of Old Biddy strutting around and
caring for her brood in true motherly
way. The season then, we might say,
has merely just begun.
With the coming of the Matching sea-
son, however, there comes the season OF
lice. mites. and other forms of vermin
that attack the little fellows and cause
so many of them to take the road from
which none return. Neglected lice and
mites will probably cause the death Of
more youngsters than will the various
other forms of enemies.
Few, if any, hen-raised chicks are free
from lice, and in view of the fact that
all are more or less infected with this
parasite, it is up to US to fight them and
thus give the chick a chance for its life.
While it is a hard matter to entirely
eradicate them, yet it is true that one
can keep them down to a minimum by
keeping after them.
MANY persons will give their chicks
the best of attention and spare no eX-
Dense as far as their rations are con-
yet pay no attention whatever
10 their cleanliness. However, when the
die off in large quantities,
hey open their eyes in amazement and
place the blame either on the food or the
parent stock, when as a matter Of fact,
he fault lies entirely with themselves
Tor not fighting the vermin.
Lice may be readily chased from little
hicks by an application of lard, to which
has been added a few drops of coal oil.
Not enough of the oil to burn the chick,
1ut sufficient to give it the OdOr.
Grease them under the wings, down
he back, under the throat on the head
md about the vent. If you apply this
treatment about every four days the
youngsters will not be made to endure
he sufferings inflicted by lice and mites.
Another. and equally good, lice chaser
and l frankly believe it to be a better
me than the abOve) is camphorated oil.
Use it the same as the lard mixture.
nd Mr.. Louise will soon make his depar-
ure. The latter is far the best exter-
ninatOr of the deadly head lice.
While you are busy chasing the lice
rom the chicks donot neglect Old Biddy
Ierself, for if you do she will transport
hem to the little ones almost as fast as
-ou chase them. Use the same remedy
N her. and in addition, saturate her
,lumage with some good louise powder
ubbing it well into the roots of the
Gathers.
Then don't forget the quarters of the
rood. Keep them clean and free Of
ice and mites. Usually the louise is not
ard to start on the run, but it IS not
UGH an easy matter with the little red
.s4.o Gov Fbavy need q uuch stronger