Rearing chicks has its serious problems, but the young brood may be brought successfully through the first six or eight weeks if these essentials are followed:

1. Give chicks a good start by selecting strong, vigorous, well-matured breeding stock that is free from disease and has been properly housed and fed, and by properly Incubating the eggs from the stock.
2. Make sure that hens used for brooding are free from lice and mites before the chicks are placed with them.
3. If an artificial brooder is used, make sure That it will provide ample heat without danger of fire, That It gives the chicks a chance to get away from the heat when they want to, That it has a capacity large enough, That It Is economical In Its cost and in the fuel it uses.
4. Remove dead chicks promptly from the brooder and bury them deeply or burn them.
5. Mark all weak chicks so that they will never be used as breeders.
6. Clean the brooder and disinfect it each time before it Is used and oftener If disease breaks out in flock.
7. Do not feed chicks until they are from 48 to 60 hours old, and then only limited amounts of easily digested food for the first week.
8. Use only clean and wholesome food and feed it only in clean dishes and litter.
9. Provide a variety of feeds. They should contain enough of protein and ash. Ground bone furnishes ample ash and some protein; skimmed milk and buttermilk furnish abundant protein.