THE INCUBATOR-BROODER METHOD OF RAISING GROUSE 467 



ticularly during the breeding season, protective cover should be provided for the female. 



It it sometimes difKcult to incorporate all of these factors into a single pen without running 

 into considerable expense. The number of birds that are to be accommodated will, in large 

 measure, determine the basic design and arrangement. Only by trial and error will the type 

 best suited to a particular purpose be developed. 



Many sizes of pens, mostly of the coop and run type, have been tested experimentally at the 

 Research Center. The 8 feet x 16 feet x 3 feet all-purpose pen (figure 37) proved quite satisfac- 

 tory when polygamous matings were being tested but was found to be larger than necessary 

 when the birds were mated in pairs. A pen measuring 8 feet x 12 feet x 3 feet was accord- 

 ingly designed to accommodate such a grouping. This met most of the requirements and 

 was used as the basis for the development of less expensive, permanent, multiple-unit breed- 

 ing pens. 



It was later found that the floor area for a pair of birds could be reduced further if certain 

 modifications were incorporated. With this in mind four such pens were constructed and 

 each subdivided to accommodate 12 pairs of breeding birds. The over-all dimensions are 8 

 feet X 72 feet. The pen is built on posts with the floor 2V2 feet above the ground. The 

 individual unit housing each pair of birds is 6 feet in width by 8 feet in length and 3 feet in 

 height. One side of the pen is enclosed and roofed, making a coop shelter measuring 2 feet 

 X 6 feet in each individual breeding compartment. The rest of the pen is enclosed with 

 %-inch mesh poultry netting, the sides and top being 20 gauge. The floor under both coop 

 and run is two gauges heavier. Each run is separated from the next by a removable parti- 

 tion which slides upon a 12-inch baseboard. Kach coo]) j)ortion is separated by a hinged 

 door. 



All |)artiti()ns may be removed at the end of the breeding season, allowing the birds more 

 freedom. The males may be segregated in one half and the females in the other. 



Feeding equipment, after many trials, was selected from among the several types manu- 

 factured for game birds. For a pair of grouse, two low 12-inch metal feeders are satisfac- 

 tory, one for grain, the other for mash. Water is furnished in the multiple-unit ])('ns through 

 automatic fountains while, in the other pens, clay water dishes 4 inches in diameter and 1 inch 

 deep are used. The same type of dish may be used for feeding wet mash. 



Feeding and watering equipment and a removable, open-type nest box are sheltered in the 

 coop and serviced through doors conveniently located. The nest box, 12 inches square and 6 

 inches high, is lined with grass. This must be replenished at intervals since the birds will 

 consume most of it. 



It is interesting to note that the built-in nest boxes in the all-purpose pen did not seem to 

 meet the full requirements of the birds. These boxes were totally enclosed, the birds enter- 

 ing through an opening in the side. The females seemed more contented when the open-type 

 nest box was used. This appears logical since the wild grouse, which nests on the ground, 

 normally selects a site which is open from above. 



Penning and Care of Breeders. After the pens at the Center have been thoroughly cleaned 

 and disinfected and are ready for occupancy, the breeders are transferred to them. One pair 

 is placed in each individual unit. Fresh evergreens are placed in the corners of the run to 

 give the birds seclusion. 



With the coming of spring, there are certain social readjustments to be made by the birds. 



