The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1915-06-05

In bringing the chick from the
hatch to maturity, the kind of feed
to be used depends much upon the
use to which the bird is going to be
put. If the fowl is to be marketed
at an early age, rapid growth is es-
sential The milk feeding method
will stimulate this rapid growth.
If the bird is to be used as layer
or breeder, on the other hand, there
should be a slow but steady growth.
This can best be obtained by feeding
a wheat and corn or kaf1r ration sup
plemented by bran, shorts, sour milk,
beef scraps, clover, oyster shell, and
grit.
Many a pouItryman makes the mis-
take of feeding only fat producing
foods. He expects the chick to pro-
duce bone, sinew and feathers from
this one food. Perhaps the grain
that is most frequently used in this
way is corn. A certain amount of
corn is essential in producing energy
and animal heat, but the mistake
should not be made Of feeding it ex-
clusively and expecting the little chick
| to develop bone and muscle
ASH anu 044nSA d AldllSA arc
tial parts Of the chicks rations If
you expect it to develop into a large,
strengthened bird. Some of this min
eral matter the chick gets from
clover, alfalfa and other green foods,
but not enough. Mineral matter,
therefore, is supplied in the form of
beef scrap and finely ground oyster
| she'll The beef scrap should be fed
/ in small quantities, and the amount
| increased as the chicks grow older.
Poultry authorities do not agree as
] to whether or not the chick should be
made to scratch for his food. Some
advise a shallow litter OF light straw
| or char, some q deep litter, while
! some say to use no litter at all. One
thing is certain. however-the chick
must have exercise.
When the chicks are kept cooped
| up and cannot run on the ground
| they soon form the habit of standing
around. and then the pouItryman's
| troubles begin Artificial exercise
must be supplied. Some poultrymen
make the chick scratch for his food,
others suspend vegetables at which
| the chicks jump. When the chicks
| CdA lave dCCCSS W al OuLQOOI Iuu-
way they will, as a rule, exercise suf-
ficiently so that no artificial form of
exercise need be supplied
For the first week after Matching
a feed composed of hard boiled eggs,
| ground shell and all, mixed with five
times as much rolled oats as eggs,
will serve as a good feed. A little
finely ground chick grit and pulver-
| lied charcoal should be sprinkled
over the food Plenty of clean, fresh
water must be supplied at all times.
Sour milk is good if it can be Sc
| cured. Finely cracked wheat and corn
should gradually be added after the
first day or two. A shallow box con-
tanning bran should be kept before
the chicks at all times. This should
be given to them on the first day so
that they will form taste for it A
little beef scrap and cornmeal can
gradually be added to the bran
Constant care, watchfulness and
patience are qualities of the good
poultryman, and the person who ap-
plies these to the raising of young
chicks is bound to succeed.
Be particular to keep a supply of
pure water in clean vessels for the
hens, and grit where they can get It.
If hen becomes broody when she
is not needed for Matching do not let
her sit single day. AS soon as she
begin to cluck shut her in a cage with
Slated bottom and set the cage on
supports where the air can circulate
under it, and the broody fever will be
cooled in two or three days
Keep the chicks growing Do not