Milford chronicle., 1917-02-09
Free Range For The Little Chicks.
By J. H. MeFAUL, Jr.
IN Rights ReSe1ved1

In line with our article Of last week concerning
the feeding Of little chicks it might be well at this
time to touch upon the subject Of free range in 50
| far as it relates TO the little tots
While it is a known fact that older birds thrive
and do extremely well if allowed the advantages
Of free rage yet this same freedom is harmful to
/ the little ones.
While many persons engaged in the raising of
poultry make serious and grave mistakes in the
matter Of the feeding and the care Of chicks yet
there are vastly young sters sent 20 the grave
each season as the result Of being allowed COM
plete freedom.
Free range. as have said. is not to be discour-
aged in connection with the older birds. that is
where it is possible TO give IT, but IL should never
be allowed the young chicks.
This mistake is more often made by the farmer
or the person who has plenty Of land rather than
by the fellow who INDUCES in the raising Of chick
ems as his speciality. but even with these there is
sometimes a slip-up.
As a rule the little chicks are allowed BY the
average farmer to pick up the greater portion Of
their food from range, without his paying any
special attention to what kind they consume or
how much they get. In other words. by allowing
the chicks free range, the farmer Is prone to ne
glect or fail to give the birds proper nourishmCnt
for development
Now there is a time when the youngsters may
be turned on the free range but that time is surely
not when they very small, but on the contrary.
when they are half grown or nearly matured.
Until such time they should be so confined TO
enable the breeder TO watch and study their every
need and care and at the same time, be IN posi-
tion TO supply their wants.
If you can allow the little fellows limited range
without fear Of danger they will undoubtedly /
profit therefrom. but never permit them to roam
at viii over large tract Of land. even though they
have the care Of the mother hen
There are many dangers lurking about the free
range which il will be well 10 avoid for instance
irregular feeding which is probably the most dis
asterous of all the evils incident to the free range
In order 70 thrive and grow constantly every hour
Of their lives. il is necessary to supply the little
fellows with sufficient food Of the proper kind to
insure growth and development and it is impossi-
BILE to do this where they roaming over a large
range out Of your sight.
Where free range is given the chicks they are
always in danger Of being caught away from home
n sudden storms which in many cases results in
ieath from drowning etc The chicks often get
ost in the high grass or weeds and either left
here to die or be caught BY rats or other form Of
nimal which preys upon them.
Again. in many instances. the long grass and
geeds which are 30 prevalent on the free range {
re often wet from the dew Of the night before or
he storm Of yesterday, and naturally the chicks {
ecome water soaked By tramping through them. 8
his brings colds and other forms Of disease c
'hich carry the youngsters in large numbers into
the land beyond" before the breeder is aware
lat anything is wrong.
Where free range s INDUCED in BY the breeder. e
stated above. the proper feeding is generally L
aglected. The average man takes it for granted f
the variety Of foods necessary for the susten-
Of the chicks is picked up in their daily trav-
3 over the range and he contents himself with n
e supplying of little food in the evening. This
.nerally consists Of corn. From this il can be
en- that the breeder or farmer makes little or no
Tort to supply the chicks with the proper kind Of p