Middletown transcript., 1915-05-29

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 a 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 kaflr ration sup
plemented by bran, shorts, sour milk
beef scraps, clover, oyster shell, and
grit.
Many a poultryman 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 and mineral matter are essen
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 chaff, some a 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 poultryman's 3
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
can have access to an outdoor run
way they will. as a rule, exercise suf-
ficiently SO that no artificial form Of
exercise need be supplied.
EOW hn drot nRtnr
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 1t 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 a 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 a hen becomes broody when she
is not needed for Matching do not let
her sit a 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