THE INCUBATOR-BROODER METHOD OF RAISING GROUSE 



483 



scribed this situation as "fussing with the birds." Yet it is true that, even at this early age, 

 each chick exhibits an individuality all its own. Game breeders, used to raising pheasants 

 and quail en masse, may shake their heads at the thought of paying separate attention to the 

 individual requirements thus discovered. But to one intent on raising grouse, nevertheless, it 

 will pay big dividends in terms of chick survival. The more one works with grouse the 

 dearer one realizes the necessity of paying attention to such minute details if one is to divert 

 the forces of untrammeled Nature to serve Man's ends. Later it may not be necessary, for 



SHORTLY M'TKR II \TCHIN(. THE CHICKS ARE PLACED I\ A BATTERY BROODER 



selective breeding should produce a strain of grouse that can be raised in captivity, with 

 proper care and without prohibitive early losses. 



Because of the obvious importance of the problems already mentioned, it should be helpful 

 to treat each in some detail. 



Brooders and Brooder Houses 



As probably every game breeder knows, the type of brooder or brooder house influences 

 (he method of caring for the chicks as well as the feeding techniques. The reverse also is 

 true. Therefore the design of the housing facilities and equipment should be such that all of 

 the activities incident to the handling of the birds will be expedited. 



