BROODER HOUSES 



355 



improvement. The stove selected should have a method for auto- 

 matic regulation of the temperature, so that during changeable 

 weather a constant temperature can be maintained. 



In operating the coal-burning stove it has been found best 

 to keep the area under the hover fairly warm and allow the chicks 

 to get away from the heat as they feel the need for cooler condi- 

 tions. Such practice means that crowding will be done away with 

 and chilling will never occur if the fire is kept burning right. Dur- 

 ing the first week a circular wire partition set about two feet from 



Fig. 168B. — The smaller type oi coal-burning brooder stove which is suited for a house 

 about 10 by 12 feet and can readily handle around 300 chicks. (Photo United Brooder Co.) 



the hover and extending all the way around the stove is a fine thing 

 to keep the chicks within bounds until they learn where the heat is 

 and how to take care of themselves. This partition can be made by 

 setting a piece of 18 inch, one inch mesh wire on edge, having the 

 wire long enough to allow of enlarging the circle as the chicks 

 get larger. 



The coal stove brooders are best operated in isolated portable 

 colony houses. The houses used should be well built and should 

 not be smaller than 10 by 12 feet for the small stove up to 14 by 16 

 feet for the larger 500 chick stoves. The fronts should allow of 

 plenty of ventilation by the use of shutters or muslin curtains. 



