BROODER HOUSES 



353 



use of a lamp. If properly carried out, this method will give almost 

 ideal brooding conditions, yet the labor involved is so great, as 

 compared with the central heating system, that, where a large 

 number of chicks are to be cared for, the latter is by far the best. 



The fourth method, practised to only a limited extent, is to 

 equip the long brooder house with fireless brooders or hovers, so 

 constructed that they conserve the heat given off by the bird 

 itself. The troubles are that they are hard to ventilate properly, 

 that their use induces a loss of vitality, and that very few birds 

 can be grouped in a single flock, — not over twenty-five with 

 safety. Fireless brooders have not been, and probably never 

 will be, used very extensively. 



Colony brooder houses are of three types, varying in size and 

 other respects. Those of extremely small size, often only three 

 by five feet, are equipped 

 with a portable hover, the 

 heat being generated by 

 a kerosene lamp. These 

 are commonly called port- 

 able outdoor brooders (Fig. 

 166), and have a capac- 

 ity of approximately fifty 

 chicks each. They necessi- 

 tate considerable labor and 

 attendance, are hard to 

 clean, and the lamp is in- 

 accessible. In the early 

 spring, too, it is difficult 

 to maintain the required degree of heat, as they are always ex- 

 tremely susceptible to outside changes in temperature. These 

 brooders are well adapted to the needs of the small poultryman, 

 who broods only two or three hundred chicks. 



The second type of colony brooder house is much larger, 

 usually six by eight or eight by eight feet at the base, and there 

 are various styles of construction. The shed-roof house is com- 

 mon (Fig. 167). Such houses are equipped with one or two, 

 usually two, portable or adaptable hovers, which are heated 

 with kerosene lamps. The lamp may be placed outside or inside 

 of the building as seems most desirable. Being of large size, 

 these houses will accommodate a considerable number of chicks. 

 After the chicks have grown sufficiently, the hovers can be re- 

 23 



(Photo from Maine Experiment .Station.) 



