BROODING 99 



Dead germs, or spoiled eggs, show in several ways: the 

 inactive or dead germ and the separate yolk are not 

 clearly denned; the blood markings do not have venous 

 outlines; irregular lines without connections are seen; 

 and the entire egg structure lacks the definiteness of 

 that of eggs that contain living embryos. With practice, 

 the merest amaieur becomes familiar with these dis- 

 tinctive conditions as viewed through the tester in a 

 darkened room. 



BROODING 



NATURAL BROODING 



Brooding is the process of warming and caring for 

 chicks from the time they emerge from the shell until 

 they are old enough to withstand ordinary temperatures 

 and to shift for themselves. When the chicks are kept 

 warm and are cared for by a hen the process is called 

 natural brooding. When the warmth and protection 

 is supplied by some mechanical device, or brooder, and 

 the chicks are otherwise cared for by an attendant, 

 the process is called artificial brooding. 



Brood Coops. In natural brooding suitable brood coops 

 are essential; such coops should be free from dampness, 

 v/ell ventilated, comfortably warm but not too hot, 

 and large enough that the chicks will not be cramped 

 for space. Where cats, rats, and other predatory 

 animals are a menace, coops with covered runways are 

 indispensable. 



A large brood coop that will house three or four 

 hens and their broods is shown in Fig. 1. This is a 

 strongly built coop 6 ft. long, 3 ft. deep, and 3 ft. 

 high in front. The upper part of the front is enclosed 

 with wire netting, the lower part with strips of wood. 

 The board doors close over the slats, which may be 

 removed when the chicks are large enough to run 



