The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1916-02-19

Ponds upon the intelligent handling of
this problem.
;. After Matching. the chicks should be
disturbed as little as possible. Give
tnem good rest to gain strength,
either under the old fowl or in the in
cubator or darkened brooder. Don't
give any food whatsoever for the first
40 hours, as the last process of hatch
ing Is the absorption of the yolk of
the egg. This provides plenty of food
Tor the chick for the first AZ hours and
the addition of any food would seri-
ously interfere with the workings of
the digestive organs; a few hours be-
fore feeding. give them some fine grit
to pick at and a drink of water with
the chill taken off.
Don't Give Baby Chicks Heavy Grain.
Fir the first food it is very advis-
| able to secure a prepared baby chick
food. This should be starting food
and not heavy grain. The advisa-
| blllty of these prepared starting foods
is that they contain the necessary food
elements that quickly build bone, flesh
| gradients that help the delicate diges-
tive organs of the baby chicks and so
help to keep off the chick diseases that
| usually are fatal.
Oatmeal, rolled oats, cracked grain
mixtures, Johnny cakes, bread crumbs
hard-boiled eggs and grain mashes
| are used in various ways in feeding
the baby chick. Whatever the feed
used, be very careful about feeding
too much. If mash is fed, moisten it
only slightly. Five or six feeds day
are about right for the first two weeks.
| Never allow moist feed to lie about.
Feed it in clean way. After the
first few days, little finely cracked
grain can be sprinkled on the floor as
this makes them work for living.
A little animal food aids in the rapid
growth of the chick. Milk in its vari-
Gus forms is excellent for them. Sour
milk and buttermilk are very good,
| but these are not needed if starting
| food with dry buttermilk in it is used.
| When feeding milk do not switch from
the sweet to the sour as this VIII cause
digestive troubles.
See That Food Is Wholesome.
Carefully examine all feed to see
| that it is free from mould or must, or
| the beef scrap from faint. Never feed
anything that is in any way spoiled.
| Carelessness about the feed may re-
suit in much damage in very short
time.
Wheat bran dry is often used to
very good advantage. Chicks may
/ have access to this at all times of the
| day and it will not interfere with the
regular feeding.
Keep Chicks Bright.
Have them always on edge for their
feed by not giving too much. Brighten
| them up occasionally by feeding some
thing tempting that will induce addi-
| tional exercise. A slight change of
ration occasionally will be apprcciat
ed. Feed at regular hours and give
the first meal of the day as early as
possible. Keep fresh water. chick
crit, chick-size charcoal and dry bone
in front of the youngsters. Keep the
water in cool container and the feeds
mentioned in hopper.
Plenty OF Exercise Good.
When the chicks cannot have
| generous range. care should be taken
that they be kept on the move and
have plenty of exercise. This is just
as important for young chicks as for
the older birds. Don't allow the baby
chicks to run with the old fowls. 1t is
| advise BILE to separate the different
matches if they are of different age.
Furnish plenty of shade in hot wea
| Their.
Swat The Lice.
Don't overlook the lice. These para
sites are one of the greatest obstacles
to raising chicks and will kill the bird
if not fought at every turn. Don't
lose the little chicks you hatch just
because the lice are thick. Study the
methods of these insects for it will re-
nav YOU many times over. Also don't
| overlook the head lice that bore into
the head of the baby chicks, sucking
az ay their vitality and causing death
in a very short time.
White DiarrhOea Dangerous
White diarrhoea is also a dreaded
chick disease and at the first symptom
of it, prompt treatment should be
given the affected chicks and preven-
tive measures taken with the rest, as
TINS disease frequently sweeps vi Ille
entire hatch, when not properly
fought.
In the next article on the raising of
little chicks, We will give several feed
ilg rations that have been used very
successfully.
How Mr.. Davis Got Rid OF A Bad
Cough.