Milford chronicle., 1916-02-11


ed and the youngsters were followed
until the time when they were either
turned out with the mother hen ol
placed in the brooder house, after hav.
ing been removed from the incubator.
We also spoke, to some extent, upor
the feeding of the little fellows and Of
fered a suggestion as to just what kind
of food to supply them with for the first
week of their eXistance.
AS there probably will be some who
read this article, who might have missed
that of last week, permit me to 60
back over the first week of feeding the
youngsters.
AS has already been told, the chicks
would have no food whatever during
the first 20 hours after Matching Many
persons, however. hold that this is en-
tirely too long to keep the peeps
without food, and for that reason, feed
sooner. If this is your decision, then
let me insist that you do not give them
anv food for at least 48 hours. The rea-
son for the Withholding of food during
this period is due to the fact that ma
ture has provided for the chicks needs.
Natures way of providing the first
food for the chick, is that the yOlk of
the egg is taken into the stomach of the
bird prior to its breaking out of the
shell, and this is amply sufficient for at
least p hours.
AS YOU have been told, the food for
the first week after you start feeding
( should consist of grated stale bread
crumbs and hard boiled egg, or the
/ bread crumbs may be fed without the
egg. This is but a matter Of-chOice.
| Then too. the bread crumbs may be
moistened with sterilized milk but in
case this is used, care should be exer-
cised not to make the mixture too moist.
| Use only a sufficient quantity of milk to
dampen it. Sloppy feeds should always
be avoided as they tend largely to create
bowel trouble
Milk is the source of much sickness
among human beings, and likewise with
chickens. While it is one of the best
/ foods for chickens, yet the fact that
some of it may contain germs Of various
kinds, makes it risky to feed it, unless
these have been removed. The only
sure way to get rid of germs is to steri-
lie the milk before using.
After weeks feeding with the bread
crumbs. its use may be discontinued,
and in its place supply a good CONNER
ground grains, all of which should be
sweet and wholesome.
During the earlier stages of their
lives, the youngsters should be fed at
least five times a day, but only enough
at each feeding that they can and will
clean up. Never allow any food what
ever to remain over each night; it will
become spoiled or contaminated, and
when eaten, probably be injurious to
their health.
If possible, from the very start, all
grain food should be thrown in a light
litter and the youngsters made to scratch
for it thus furnishing them exercise |
which is so essential and necessary to !
their keeping in good health. Alfalfa is
possibly the best form of litter for the |
young chicks, and besides, they can
partake of portions of it and this serves |
them well.
1t is easier to maintain such feeding
place where the chicks are incubator |
Matched and brooder. raised than where |
hens are employed for the purpose. but
in the latter case. scratching place
NAV be made for feeding the yougsters /
and covered with a wire cage which will |
admit the Youngsters under it. and at
the same time, keep Old Biddy from
getting to it and tearing it to pieces.
But the feeding of grain food is not
all that is necessary at this time to the
health and vigor of the chicks. They
must be supplied with nourishment that
will cause constant development and
growth, in order that they may be pro-
fitable when they are matured. A
stunted bird, or one that is slow in
growth and development, rarely if ever
amounts to anything in after life. Thus
it is the aim of every successful poul-
tryman to keep the youngsters growing
continually, from the time of their
Matching until they have arrived at the
years of manhood or womanhood. as it
were. Il
This nourishment may be supplied in
a number of ways, but | want to speak
here of the method have adopted and
which / believe not only spells success,
but at the same time, is simple and
practical
Many persons will tell you what to
DO, and how to do it, but when you have /
read their instructions you are still as /
much at sea as before reading. This is
due to the fact that they generally
speak in terms which you or know lit
lie or nothing about There is no use
If my telling you to supply foods con-
aiming 'such-and-such'' elements, but
'ather that would tell just what food /
o give. 6
Immediately then, with the supply Of I
he chick starter or finely-cracked grain 0
ood, place before the chicks quantity n
f wheat bran (which should be first il
I'm through a fine sieve), bone meal, t
nelly sifted beef scrap, and fine grit 81
nd charcoal. These may be placed in
eparate vessels or small feeders (which 81
ray be purchased for ten cents each) g
nd put in place that the youngsters g
ray have free access to them, yet kept J
ut of the reach of the old mother hen. -
The chicks should be kept on this food
ntil such time that they can, without t
sk, partake Of larger grains. Then c.
be chick starter mar be changed to a c'
rain food, a little c0arser, commonly oi
allied intermediate food and likewise,
his may afterwards be changed to the G
sgular scratch food, when the birds L
re Of sufficient size to eat it. The n
myth of time. to feed these foods de-
ends altogether upon the rapidity Of in