HINTS ON REARING YOUNG CHICKS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2467, 26 June 1901, Page 55

HINTS ON REARING YOUNG CHICKS.

The following is from the English Fanciers' Gazette : —

Much depends upon the car of chickens during the first few days of their lives. But from start tr finish there are countless details to observe, and, to be successful, one meeds knowledge, patience, and a love for ihe work. If the chick has good parentage, at should live and thrive. Thing- to guard against in the firet days, are dampness, moist iood, and chilling winds. If chicks are kept upon the damp ground they will not do well ; there will, of neoe&sity, be weakness jmd a condition of the system favourable for .various diseases. There is a great loss njnually of young chicks from this one catise. Therefore, one cannot be too careful. Alfways have wooden floors to the coops or the brooder, and see that they are well cleaned each day. Last year the writer had many young thicks whose eyes would close tight, as if Sealed. They would stagger about a few Says, and then die, starved to death. The Same trouble was noted in many places. It was not an uncommon complaint. Anointing the eyes with sweet oil was reeomjmended, but. as a rule, it was not very beneficial. I am now of opinion that this was due, in great measure, at least, to damp ju'th floors. With wooden floors this season I have not seen one chick thus afflicted. Then there i& that abhoried "pasting up

behind" in young chicks that poultrymen so dislike to see. Inquiries ab to cause and cure arc frequent. Every poison in the bt.sinesa will have to watch for this, and gvard pgainst it. Pievention here is a thousand times better than trying to cure. Avoid all sloppy food, or even moist food. Probably t'»ere- is no better uition for the young chick for the fiiTt *hiee or four week; than breadcrumbs, rolled oats, and millet seed. We give weak tea as a drink, but I have found a very nttle Venetian red — a product of iron — in the water very beneficial. This is highly recommended by n.any, and its- efficacy haa been proved by the writer.

As to feeding after the first three or four weeks, the rule, an laid down by many practical, experienced men is. "little and often," as, indeed, during the first weeks of the bird's existence. It may seem heresy to some, but I think it a good plan to keep always before the chick — at least, after the first month — a shallow dis-h filled with ooar&eground maize-meal and a good quantity of meat meal in a perfectly dry state. Feed occasionally, in addition, cracked wheat, millet oeed. or similar grains ; then, as the chicks get "larger, lay cracked maize before them — and they will grow and grow.

Then there are the lice to fight. The youngster only a day or two old may ha-\e head-lice, which will sup his vitality, or lii-3 on the body. Put a. chop of sweet oil on the head and rub it :n well. Sprinkle some fine insect uowcler on the body, and •see that it is well nuclei the feat'-eiv. Observ all these details and the chicks will thrive. Careless treatment brings a Targe percentage of young chicks to untimely death.

Just a word in favom of meat meal for fowls of all agc>. It is a necessity for the greatest success, if one cannot get "re.-.h meat or fresh ground bone : in fact, it is a question if it does not equal the boa?, at much le^s expense and a vast deal of labour. Fowls need animal food in some shnpe, and it will pay anyone to purchase it.