RAISING CHICKENS

Northern Advocate, 13 October 1928, Page 15

RAISING CHICKENS

CARE OF BROODER HOUSE,

■Cleanliness in the brooder house is always important and especially so when the chicks are brooded in large flocks. The floor should be well covered with litter, and this must be changed often enough to keep it dry and free from foul odours, or from becoming excessively dusty. The litter should be fine and light so that the chicks will have no difficulty in turn-

ing it over and getting at the grain near the floor. Many persons keep young colony-brooded chicks in confinement for a rather long period, in order to guard against cannibalism, leg weakness, retarded growth, etc., all of which are conditions that are apt to develop among chicks that are kept in dose quarters, it is imperative' to give special attention to their exercise. After the first few days all chicks feed should be scattered over the litter, and, if necessary, should

be buried in it in order to keep the chicks busy a good part of the day.

Until the chicks are thoroughly cover-wise they must be watched and never allowed to -get for from home. If properly trained, however, by the lime they are two weeks old it should be safe to let them have access to a small outdoor run at least a part of each day, and their yard or range should be increased just as rapidly thereafter as they can be trusted with greater liberty.