THE INCUBATOR-BROODER METHOD OF RAISING GROUSE 



485 



A decade ago it still was generally believed that nothing short of a broody hen could be 

 trusted with the care of newly hatched grouse chicks. However, when a foster mother was 

 used, the many failures largely due to the disease indicated a need for a mechanical-type 

 brooder that could be kept clean. 



All the early types tested proved tricky and often unreliable. In spite of this, encouraging 

 results often were secured. Allen gives a graphic picture of this situation in his "Ten Years 

 Experiments in the Rearing of Ruffed Grouse in Captivity"". 



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■ ■ r -ili l i H ii V 



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A FLAT-TOPPED, BOX TYPE HOVER WAS FOUND MOST SATISFACTORY FOR BROODING YOUNG GROUSE 



IN THE COLONY BROODER HOUSE 



During the early years it was quite natural that attempts should be made to adapt the Cole- 

 man type brooder, so successful with quail. At the Catskill Station 20 of these with their 

 kerosene heaters provided enough work to keep the operator busy day and night. Some idea 

 of the difficulties encountered is indicated when seven of these units caught fire and three 

 were destroyed in one season. Herculean efforts were required to raise 46 grouse from the 

 189 which were started. 



The struggle required to maintain reasonably constant temperatures even with the best 

 equipment soon prompted the search for a more efficient type of brooder. Considerable prog- 



