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The heat in the brooder for the first week should be 98, and be 

 gradually reduced after the chicks are a fortnight old, according to the 

 weather and the age of the chicks. If a cold night is expected give 

 additional heat. If the chicks are too warm they will move away from 

 the main volume of heat. 



When the chicks are five days old give them strips of tough meat in 

 order to make them run in and out of the brooder for exercise. The 

 chicks must have exercise and fresh air; do not coddle them or they 

 will become stunted in growth. 



Do not have chicks of various ages run together, as the big ones will 

 rob the younger birds of their share of food. 



Do not let the chicks get wet ; the drinking- vessel should be so ar- 

 ranged that the birds can reach the water with their beaks only. Clean 

 water should be kept constantly before them. 



Do not allow the chicks to get a chill when removing them from the 

 incubator to the brooder; use a piece of flannel or blanket to cover them. 



It is most important that young chicks should for the first three or 

 four days spend all their time in the brooder. Then begin to let them 

 outside, penning them near the brooder to prevent them straying away 

 and getting chilled. Chicks should be brooded for about six weeks, 

 according to the weather; a little experience will soon determine this. 



The brooder must be kept clean, and fine sand or dry earth J in. 

 to \ in. in depth covering the floor. Pine-needles are also very suit- 

 able for this purpose. 



