88 999 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 



QUESTION Should the incubator be heated to the proper tem- 

 perature before putting in the eggs ? 

 ANSWER Yes. 



QUESTION When fertile eggs die in the incubator, will they 

 injure the others if not taken out? 



ANSWER Yes. One of the absolutely essential requirements 

 for success in artificial incubation is a constant circulation of pure 

 air in the incubator. The foul gases arising from decayed eggs 

 destroy this condition to a greater or less extent and consequently 

 lessen the chances of a good hatch. 



QUESTION Are brooders preferable to hens in raising chicks ? 

 ANSWER Yes. 



QUESTION Are home-made brooders successful? 



ANSWER They are if they are properly constructed. One who 

 is handy with tools and understands the principles of brooder con- 

 struction can succeed in making a reliable brooder. 



QUESTION Ought a good outdoor brooder maintain a temper- 

 ature of 90 degrees during several days of zero weather ? 

 ANSWER Yes. 



QUESTION At what temperature should the brooder be kept 

 during the first week that the chicks are in it ? 



ANSWER 90 degrees will be right for the first week. The 

 brooder should, of course, have a nursery or runway much cooler 

 than this where the chicks can scratch and exercise when they 

 desire to do so. They will not need a temperature of 90 degrees con- 

 tinuously, but should have it to go to when wanted. 



QUESTION Which is the better method of heating the brooder, 

 top heat or bottom heat ? 



ANSWER Top heat is the only successful plan. Bottom heat 

 is unnatural and has long been abandoned by practical poultrymen 

 who depend upon brooders to raise their chicks. 



QUESTION What is the most suitable bedding for the brooder? 



ANSWER A couple of inches of dry sand, and upon this may 

 be scattered enough clover chaff or scrapings from the hay loft to 

 well cover it. 



QUESTION What is the largest number of chicks that should 

 be kept in one brooder ? 



ANSWER Never more than 100; 50 is better. 



