. Poultry and profit. er. I dont believe in working a rearer at a high tem-perature, for the simple reason that any great variation ofthe atmospheric heat to which the chicks are exposed willcause trouble. They have got to get used to the fresh air,and it is better to accustom the chicks to the ordinary tem-perature at once rather than bring them up, at leastattempt to do so, as hot-house plants. There must be nocoddling. Let them get out and take exercise, but see thatthey have a dry floor on which to sleep and retire when theyfeel so inclined. I dont want you to imagine that I amadvocating r
. Poultry and profit. er. I dont believe in working a rearer at a high tem-perature, for the simple reason that any great variation ofthe atmospheric heat to which the chicks are exposed willcause trouble. They have got to get used to the fresh air,and it is better to accustom the chicks to the ordinary tem-perature at once rather than bring them up, at leastattempt to do so, as hot-house plants. There must be nocoddling. Let them get out and take exercise, but see thatthey have a dry floor on which to sleep and retire when theyfeel so inclined. I dont want you to imagine that I amadvocating rough treatment. In rearing chickens, as ineverything else, it is the man who exercises common sensewho is likely to get the best results. A two-compartment rearer will generally allowenough room for the chicks to get exercise even in thecoldest or roughest weather; but if not, then it will not bea difficult task to rig up a shelter for them, that can be usedas an extension run. However, from the very first, advan- IWB. ,mk>*&, REARING AND FEEDING 97 tage should be taken of the sunshine, and the broodexposed to its genial warmth. It is no good my attempt-ing to give you minute directions as to when to vary theheat, because each worker must use his own discretion asto when to increase or diminish it. You must watch thechickens themselves, and their behaviour will be the bestcriterion. It is a bad sign when the little birds remain inthe heated compartment most of the day; it generallymeans that the heat is not high enough for them, or thattheir diet is wrong. If they are going strong, you will findthat they will not retire to the inner room except after meal-times, and then only for the usual forty winks. Chicksdo that when they are being hen-reared, so you see it isnatural. Too much heat is injurious. The most commonmistake is to set the heat high at night, to keep the poorlittle things warm ! All nonsense. They will see to thatpart of the business for themselves. It is said t
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