348 BOARD OF AGRICULTUEE. [Pub. Doc. 



results were obtained by feeding different lots of chickens 

 rations which varied in the extreme. The experiment with 

 the chicks kept in the brooders showed at the end of thirty 

 days, in the lot fed on egg, liver and green stuff, a mortality 

 of Go. 7 per cent, chiefly from digestive troubles, resulting 

 in diarrhoea. The lot fed on grain alone showed a loss by 

 death of 32.7 per cent, mainly from digestive troubles, 

 strongly indicated by abnormal enlargement of the gall 

 bladder. The lot fed on grain and green stuff suftered a 

 mortality of 9.5 per cent. The lot fed a complete balanced 

 ration of egg, meat, grain and green stuff had a death list 

 of only 3.5 per cent. By using the proper amount of animal 

 food with the grain food and supplying the necessary green 

 food, a large proportion of the untimely and unnecessary 

 deaths may evidently be prevented ; provided, of course, 

 that due attention be given to the other factors of environ- 

 ment, and to the breeding from vigorous, healthy parents. 

 Another phase of the brooding problem relates to the 

 degree of shelter, the maintenance of a proper temperature 

 and ventilation for the chicks. The sudden variations of 

 the weather during winter and spring in New England make 

 it desirable that there be provided four degrees of protection 

 or comfort for brooder chickens : — 



1. An inviting, properly ventilated hover, kept continu- 

 ously, uniformly and suiEciently warm, to which the chicks 

 may at any time resort, as they would do to the mother hen, 

 and warm up. 



2. A ventilated, lighted brooder or apartment, warm 

 enough to protect the chicks from chilling on raw days and 

 sufficiently attractive to tempt them from the hover as much 

 as possible. 



3. A run protected from winds and storms by being en- 

 closed within a brooder house, or, if outside, covered with a 

 hot-bed sash. 



4. An outside yard, available in pleasant weather, into 

 which even the youngest chicks should be tempted by litter, 

 grain, green food and scraps whenever the sun shines and the 

 winds are not too severe. In some way the chicks must be 

 provided with a sure refuge, where they will be comfortable 



