202 Farm Poultry 



chickens are not inclined to huddle together to 

 keep warm. Huddling indicates that the tem- 

 perature is too low for best results. The amateur 



Fig. 67. An outdoor brooder. 



poultry man finds it difficult to overcome the ten- 

 dency toward bowel disorders in little chickens. 

 One of the potent causes of these disorders is a 

 cold brooder or frequent chills. 



(2) A brooder should be easily cleaned. There 

 are several reasons for this. The labor of clean- 

 ing is an important item. The time occupied is 

 frequently of considerable importance, and then, 

 if the brooder is not readily cleaned, it is 

 much more likely to be neglected, particularly 

 during the busiest seasons of the year. A brooder 

 should be so constructed that it may be swept 

 clean, preferably with an ordinary broom. The 

 floor should be kept littered, so that all the 

 manure may be readily swept out. As filth and 



