Essentials of a Good Brooder 217 



1. Capable of maintaining a proper tempera- 



ture. 



2. Be easily cleaned. 



3. Provide good ventilation. 



4. Of such form that all the chickens may readily 



be seen. 



5. Must be dry. 



6. Economical of heat. 



7. Easy of construction. 



(1) A satisfactory brooder must maintain a 

 proper temperature for delicate little chickens. 

 It will be necessary to maintain an even temper- 

 ature, from 90 to 100, for the first week. After 

 that a somewhat lower temperature will be required. 

 Breeds of fowls that feather early in life do not 

 require so high a temperature in the brooder after 

 two or three weeks. The temperature should always 

 be so high that the chickens are not inclined to 

 huddle together to keep warm. Huddling indicates 

 that the temperature is too low for best results. 

 The amateur poultryman finds it difficult to over- 

 come the tendency toward bowel disorders in little 

 chickens. One of the potent causes of these dis- 

 orders is a cold brooder or frequent chills. 



(2) A brooder should be easily cleaned. There 

 are several reasons for this. The labor of cleaning 

 is an important item. The time occupied is fre- 

 quently of considerable importance, and 1 then, if 

 the brooder is not readily cleaned, it is much more 



