Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1915-05-08

that most of our amateur-raised fiocks
are Matched by hens. some instruction
bearing upon this particular method
is necessary. To successfully hatch
eggs 1t is well to follow these precepts
Select quiet hen: discard one that
uses her voice constantly. Have the
nest ready before removing her from
the laying coop. Set the hen in such
manner that she may walk on, and
is not obliged to jump up or down to
reach the eggs, for such a procedure
means broken eggs or crushed chicks
Before setting and between matches
paint all the woodwork with kerosene
This is particularly important in warm
weather Dust the hen thoroughly
ing her on the nest. Repeat this four
days before Matching time.
EGGS should be carefully selected
They should be uniform in shape and
possess strong shells. This last is an
|, important point in the natural method
The eggs should be of about the same
age, so that all will hatch at the
same time; in this way relieving the
| hen of much of her natural nervous
ness concerning the result of the
hatch
Make the nests nearly fiat. Moist
fine loan covered with hay or chaff
makes a good bottom.
Removing Chicks From Nest
If the nest is on the ground, and
this is the best place for it, the litter
may be removed and the chicks al
lowed to remain on the nest for about
forty-eigh hours after all are hatched.
provided they can regain the nest at
will. If not. place them in some safer
indoor run for day OF, two. by which
time they should be bright and lively.
If the weather is fine. thev may now
be safely removed to the outdoor
coops. To protect them from morn
ing dew, arrange these coops so that
the chicks may be shut in at night.
This should be done for several weeks.
Feeding Chicks
The method of chick feeding de-
scribed in a recent article is Just as
applicable whether the chicks are
reared naturally or artiflcially. Be-
side, the regular grain feeds, chicks
with hens should have good food with
plenty of ash content. such as finely
ground bonemeal. also fine, sharp,
artificial grit. Sand will do for the
first few days, but after ten days or
two weeks something sharper and
harder is needed. While on range
with the hen mother chicks will find
a lot of the protein element. yet for
rapid growth an added supply in the
form of beef scraps or milk proves
beneficial.
If properly housed and protected
from natural foes and kept out of wet
grass, fewer chicks are lost when
cared for by hens than when kept in
brooders. Brooder chicks may grow
faster at first, but the exercise that
the hen mother induces builds splen-
did constitutions, and If the birds are
intended for breeding purposes this
becomes a vital factor.
Head Lice
When hen-raised chicks are lost,
such losses are frequently due to lice,
most often to head lice. Every care
should be taken that these pests be
eliminated. To accomplish this keep
the nest clean. Dust the chicks with
a harmless louise powder before put
ting them out. In a week or so grease
the head with a few drops of cotton
seed oil. Repeat in another week or
ten days If necessary.
Late chicks reared as above directed
will prove their worth from both COM
mercial and breeding standpoints.