Show POULTRY FACTS watch this column each week for approved methods of handling poultry this information comes from the most reliable source and can be depended on grand county poultry association moab utah care of chicks from and 2nd to week no matter how cold the weather the chicks should have been out of the house for a few minutes at least by the end of the second week when young they should not be left out but a few minutes they should be driven back in the house after driving them back and forth a few times they soon learn the way and the little door may be left open permanently a V shaped device being placed inside the door with the inner part of the v facing the opening to break the draft beginning with the latter part of the second week you should begin feeding the chicks liberally it would be possible to feed chicks a certain amount of feed which would keep them at the same weight all the time all feed over the amount needed for will go into gain it fed full ration they will make maximum gains each day it fed just one halt this amount they will make slow growth what you desire Is to make your chicks gain the maximum amount each day for the rapid growing chick is better able to overcome disease also each day saved in bringing the chicks up to marketable age Is a great gain when we consider how rapidly the price of broilers drops in the spring the best guide tor the amount of feed is the activity of the chicks and the appearance of their crop the best rule is to feed them as much as possible during the day without causing them to be inactive keep them busy scratching all day and at night them all they want just before they go to roost increase the depth of their litter especially it it is necessary to keep them confined very much see that the grain is kicked well into the litter so that considerable scratching Is necessary when confined in the house exercise may also be induced by hanging up bones containing small amounts of meat also by giving them large pieces of gristle or meat or sausage skins these pieces which they cannot eat will keep them busy for hours chasing the chicks which happen to have the gristle the heat should not be decreased too rapidly otherwise crowding will result even after the heat has been discontinued it is a goad plan to build a fire in cold or damp weather As a rule the heat can be discontinued at eight weeks after three or four weeks just when you think your chicks are raised you will begin to lose chicks from smothering as a result of crowding unless they go to roost at night and see that they form an even ring around the stove much of this trouble can be eliminated by them to roost as early as possible some authorities advise against early ro claiming that it causes crooked breast bones it the boosts roosts are wide this trouble can be largely overcome the boosts roosts at first should be but a few aches off the floor and set around the hover ome distance out it even half of them can be taught to roost early this will greatly relieve the congested condition on the floor and result in saving many of the chicks |