26 N. H. Agricultural Experiment Station [Bulletin 303 



tion outside of brooder area a quick flash of light from a common flash- 

 light was used. Every precaution possible was exercised to prevent dis- 

 turbance of chicks by the observer. 



The diagrams as presented are a composite picture of the hovering 

 conditions as determined by regular observations at fifteen-minute in- 

 tervals. The area of brooder wliich was commonly populated by chicks 

 is designated by tlie solid black section. The area indicated by parallel 

 lines was used by the chicks at variable times and by varying numbers 

 of chicks. Chicks were more active or "restless" within this area. 

 Feeders and waterers as indicated were located approximately two feet 

 from edge of hover. (See diagrams on front cover.) 



A brief sunnnary of observations made for each hover are as fol- 

 lows: House 15 (Brooder No. 1 — 1936 type) — "Chicks hovering quietly 

 during first of night, but moi'c "restlessness" and movement occurred 

 following 10 P. M. No feeding or drinking occurred up to 1 :50 A. M. 

 From this time on, variable mnnbers of chicks were eating and drink- 

 ing. All feeding up to normal daylight conditions was limited to feed- 

 er in southeast position. For tlie most part of night center of hover re- 

 mained quite free of chicks." 



House 16 (Brooder No. 3 — 1936 type) — "Few chicks hovered di- 

 rectly in center of brooder at any time during the night. Chicks were 

 otherwise fairlj^ evenly distributed under brooder, appeared comfortable 

 and for the most part remained quiet. Chicks were feeding and drink- 

 ing intermittently throughout the night. Only those feeders in south- 

 west and southeast locations were used up to daylight conditions." 



House 18 (Brooder No. 2 — 1936 type) — ' ' Chicks were quite variable 

 in hovering area selected. Moving, standing and picking at moisture 

 drops on celluloid curtain was common throughout the night. When 

 chicks covered over the recorder bulb which rested on the floor, a defi- 

 nite increase in floor temperature was recorded on the instrument chart. 

 As the chicks spread out and away from the bulb, the recorded floor 

 1emi)erature receded. No feeding or drinking occurred from dark till 

 1 :30 A. M., when increased action was evident. Feeders in northeast 

 and southwest were utilized." 



It may be of interest to note that tlie brooders in Houses 15 and 16 

 were fitted with ventilator fans in apex of brooder. The brooder in 

 House 18 was provided with a natural draft central ventilating flue. 



Prolonged Brooding Period 



Table 8 presents summary figures for electric brooding of chicks 

 to fourteen weeks of age. Brooders 1 and 3 were fitted with fans for 

 providing forced ventilation. In the case of Brooder 3 the direction of 

 air flow established by the fan was downward through the double walled 

 conical sides to the outer periphery. At this point it was directed to- 

 wards the center of the brooding compartment. A relatively high speed 

 fan was employed. In Brooder 1 the air was directed down a central 

 tube to strike a circular baffle plate, wiiich diff^used the forced air out- 

 wards towards the edge of the brooder. A slower speed fan was em- 

 ployed. Brooder 2 was similar to the original brooder, previously de- 

 scribed in the w^ork of 1934-35. 



