Upon hatching, egg food should be given three times a day in addition to
the regular seed mixture. The first feeding each day should be given as
early in the morning as possible. See "Egg Food" under "General Care."
Fresh greens may be fed daily. Newly hatched youngsters require very
small amounts of food. "Feed little and often," is a good rule to
follow. You will soon be able to judge the amount, bearing in mind that
quantity should be increased as the youngsters grow. When the nestlings
are about six days old their eyes will have opened, and when they are
around ten days old the partition can be withdrawn and the cock allowed
to rejoin the hen. However, if the hen is not feeding the young as she
should, or if she doesn't stay on the nest sufficiently to keep the
chicks warm, the cock should be allowed to return at once.
Many successful breeders prepare "soaked seed" for morning and evening
feedings for the hen and nestlings from hatching time to six weeks
later. Prepare by putting a little of your regular seed mixture to soak
at the morning feeding. Then, at the evening feeding, stir this well,
strain, and put to soak again in fresh water. On the following morning,
stir, rinse in fresh water, strain, dry, and this "soaked" seed is ready
to use. Soaked seed for the evening feed is started each evening,
strained, put to soak again each morning, and in the evening strained,
rinsed, dried between paper towels, and fed.
Soaked seed often does wonders for a nonfeeding hen, and it is valuable
for chicks after they are separated from the hen. As the birds gain in
age, gradually increase the seed proportion and cut down soft foods,
until they are about six weeks old. At this age they are able to crack
their own seeds, and the regular French's Bird Seed and Biscuit may be
given them together with feedings of egg food about three times a week
until they have completed their moult.