Milford chronicle., 1917-06-15
Taking Care Of The Young Chicks.
By }. H. MeFAUL, Jr.
LAH RiRAts ReseyvedD

While many poultrymen have already hatched
practically all the birds that they intend to get out
this season. yet for others and particularly for the
smaller breeders. there many still 70 be hatch.
cd. For the benefit Of these. and others who are
beginner and just getting out their first hatcbea
might Be well 70 again touch upOn the care Of
While the feeding Of young chicks is generally
referred 70 - being the mOet difficult problem in
the business OF raising chickens, yet Of equal i'm
pOrtance is their care and attention. Chicls can
not Be raised any more on feed alone than on care
and attention. bot in order to have success both
the feeding and care must be Of the proper sort
viii not attempt TO give here an account Of the
various methods Of feeding young chiekn because
almost every breeder Of any note has HE own ndi-
viduai method and many Of them are highly sue
cessfnl believe however. that ct this time il
weuld be well TO say something concerning the
care 70 suceessful raising Of chicks and
% ineidenhy touch upon the feeding for the bene-
nj OF those who have no correct method Of their
own
The fact that every person who raises ehjckens
insists that his method Of feeding is the correct
one does not by any means make the assertion
true. and as a result Of such indifference or per-
sistanee on the part Of the raiser, many chicks die
on annually. Many Of these could be saved and
made % realize profit on il the proper methods
OF feeding were adhered 70.
Inc primary object in properly feeding the young
chcke from the very beginning Of life ia 10 pro-
mote growth and development. Unless this ie done
your efforts will avail nothing for without these,
are by no means profitable.
A vast majority Of the chicks hatched will live
and thrive u given the proper feed and care from /
the very hrett while. where the reverse is true
few Of them ever reach the age of maturity. This
proves beyond doubt that in order 70 attain sue
success in the raising Of chicks it is imperative
that these important matters be correctly and |
judiciousy solved
Many people. and particularly farmers or those
CLOSELY Slhed with the farm persist in feeding the
young chicks cornmeal dough. This method of
feeding s inherited. and while many persons still
use it and claim to have some degree Of success
there is nothing in il. Cornmeal dough contains
absolutely UOur1ahmput and ahouid -, !
dulged in The best and most rapid growth and ,
development Of chicks will never result from the I
feeding Of this food owing to the lack Of nourish-
ment IN IT, and for this reason it should be avoided
a great majority OF breeders make q serious | s
mistake n IN The very beginning by feeding the
chicke Immediately after they are hatched This a
nistake is more prevalent among women than men
The woman is naturally more sympathetic than | a
nan and Just as soon as the chick chirps she r
DeheVee that II ie hungry and supplies il food. a
This is an interference with the laws Of nature Ii
md the poultryman who tries 70 improve on ma "
nFe naturally makes a most serious mistake n
men the chick s formed. large part Of the yolk M
the egg is taken into the stomach and this il Ia
uihcient food to stimulate il for the first few ),
ours Of its existence
On account Of this let me urge that or, give the ~
oungsters absolutely no food for at least the first n
nirty-six hours after Matching, no matter how ca
ungry you might feel that they are III
Following the mo diet" period feed the young fa
hicks ration Of stale or toasted bread crumbs IA
rolled dne) 70 which may be added finely grated
arc boiled egg. The proportions Of the egg to che
read crumbs is one egg 70 each cup Of crumbs
his food may or may not be mostened, but II Won
refer II moist use scalded milk for the purpose -
nd only enough 70 moisten. Under no noconditions ~
ave the food sloppy. After pouring the milk over -
/, squeeze It out thoroughly. 50
Feed this mixture at least FIVE times day dur
3 the hrst week. giving at each feeding only the
iantity that the chicks will clean IN Never al
v them to have the leftover portion II Is well @ @1
y 70 moisten small quantity at a time other - -
se the food will readily spoil and become unfit Tus T
the youngsters. and its feeding a dangerous en-,
A quantity Of good. fine grit or sharp tsnd sul
ould at all times be kept before them as an ala eAi
digestion and an assimilator of food. Charcoal
also highly beneficial 70 the youngsters as well y
to the older birds and should likewise be kept y 7
fore them constantly. con
After the first weeks feedipe of b-.,,, .,,-t pin
hard boiled egg. substittte a s,Cj biI :. . I,l,os
hney ground grains. When the youngsters are
ncienty developed to partake Of other or larger N
ds' give an intermediate one which is slightly Dur