BROODING 



101 



1-in. lumber dressed on both sides. Coops of this kind 

 may be located in lots that are enclosed with wire 

 fence. 



To keep them sanitary and free from insect vermin 

 brood coops are sprayed inside and outside with crude 

 petroleum or creosote or kerosene or some other liquid 

 insecticide; and the paint should be applied at least 

 a week before the coop is occupied. Of the three 

 insecticides named, creosote, which may be obtained in 

 paint stores, is best. Brood coops should be sprayed 

 inside and outside every 2 wk. with an insecticide of 

 some kind, the work being done in the morning when 

 the hen and chicks are ranging, in order to avoid injury 

 to the chicks by the 

 fumes of the liquid 

 used. The floor of 

 the brood coop must 

 be cleaned frequently 

 to avoid the accumu- 

 lation of droppings 

 and other filth, be- 

 cause odors that are ..= M gi4B3 W * 

 injurious to both hen ^^TW^,^ 



and chicks arise from FIG. 2 



such accumulations. 



Weaning Age. When she is permitted to do so, the 

 mother hen weans the chicks when they are from 6 to 

 8 wk. of age, although some hens are ready to leave 

 the chicks when they are 4 to 5 wk. old, and a few 

 other hens will continue to mother their chicks until 

 they are 12 wk. old. If she is confined to the brood 

 coop and not permitted to wander, the hen may be 

 kept with the chicks until their covering of feathers is 

 complete. The chicks should not be weaned until they 

 are sufficiently grown to care for themselves and to 

 be warm at night. Up to the first of June they do 

 well if they are kept with the hen until they are 10 

 or 12 wk. old; from June to Oct. they are usually fit 

 to wean at the age of 8 wk. ; and if they are unusually 



