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

long way off; the warm sun has long
since driven the frost from the
ground and vegetation of all sorts is
growing and tender. Thus the fowls
are furnished natural succulent food
which has reproducing qualities to
great degree.
Whether or not the necessary green
and rich animal foods are supplied by
nature, on ample range, is a big eco
nomic item. 1t must be given careful
consideration. for if favorable range
conditions exist the cost of feeding is
naturally decreased. Under such con-
ditions chicks should be reared at a
feeding cost not to exceed one-third
or one-half of what they bring on the
market at wholesale prices, live
weight. This is particularly true of
chicks raised on free range in the
small grain districts. and even of those
raised in communities where garden
crops are grown.
Common Mistakes With Late Chicks
1t is most apparent from the above
that chicks hatchedin the latter part
of May and June may be fed much
more cheaply than those hatched
earlier in the season. but many have
difficulty in rearing very young chicks
during hot weather. Such difficulty is
largely due to ineXperience. Certain
fundamental principles must be ap-
piled to the art of rearing chicks
whether they be Matched early. or late.
Late chicks should be given entirely
different range from early ones. I'm
less this is done their growth is re-
tarded, perhaps stunted. Many are
lost that would grow to maturity IL
given suitable range. One reason why
early chicks sometimes fare better
than later arrivals is that they are
started on fresh ground. that is ground
NnVa t.2l. .l,s s.I--
season. They are then removed to
other pastures and the next broods
placed on the original plot, and so on.
Each group not only eXhausts the sup
ply of green food. insects and the like.
but also contaminates the ground TO
greater or less extent.
So far as possible each successive
brood should be started on fresh
ground. When this is not practical the
ground should be turned and seeded
to some rapidly-growing green crop.
II the sod is intact. a rest of several
days will do much to renew its fresh
ness. especially If there have been one
or two good showers meantime.
These two features. i. e., keeping the
late chick apart from those Matched
earlier, and starting each brood on
fresh ground, must be adhered to al
ways when chicks are Matched and
reared by natural methods if your sys-
tenn of rearing is to be successful. On
the other hand, neglect to observe
these two rules is the principal reason
for failure with late broods.
After consi :ering the above facts, it
appears that late May and June chicks
may be advantageously raised by sew
eral classes of poultrymen:
F!rst-By the farmer in the small
grain districts, because these chicks
will have just passed the feathering
stage at the commencement of the
harvests when the scatterings will
form a very considerable part of their
food; also, Eecause the climate in such
localities is generally unfit for outdoor
chicks until the middle of May or first
of June. With backward seasons
early chicks can be raised only by
the specialist and with suitable equip
ment.
Secondly the amateur broller
raiser who has demand at reasonable
prices during the Fall. Chickens
hatched as specified would make
broiler weight as early as the latter
part of August and early September.
Thirdly the fancier, who unques-
produces his best specimens
by natural methods of incubation. Be
tween July ] and the next breeding
season these specimens have had am
pie time to fully mature if properly
started and reared with reasonable
care. 1t will be noted that breeding
stock is equally good whether the fam
cier breeds it for his own use or for
his customers Breeding cockerels
Matched late in the season, if reared
under proper conditions, are of fresher
plumage and brighter colors than
early Matched birds. When sold at
the beginning of the breeding season
to the customer, who prizes specimens
for their beauty alone, late cockerels
generally give better results.
Fourth-By the exhibitor who
makes the late shows or who shows
the lighter and more quickly matur-
ing breeds.
Natural Incubation
The study of artificial incubation
has absorbed the attention of our in
vestigators and others to such an ex-
tent that little is written or taught of
the old-fashioned but very reliable,
natural methods In view of the fact