112 BROODING OF CHICKS 



is not unusual to have one or two hovers each for fifty 

 or a hundred chicks running inside of such a coop when 

 the thermometer is nearly zero. 



POINTS IN SUCCESSFUL BROODING 



Brood coops should be perfectly sanitary and free from 

 vermin, and should be painted with liquid insecticide 

 at least a week before they are occupied. They should 

 also be sprayed with insecticide every 2 wk. while in 

 use, and the floors must be cleaned frequently. 



Brood coops should be ready a day in advance of the 

 time when the chicks are to be placed in them, and the 

 temperature should be about 90. This temperature 

 should be maintained for 7 da., after which it should 

 be gradually reduced to 80. 



If newly hatched chicks become chilled they will be 

 seriously injured, and if they are overheated they will 

 lose vitality. The proper heat must be maintained with 

 regularity. 



The directions given by the manufacturers for the 

 operation of brooders should be strictly followed, and 

 the particular kind of thermometer recommended should 

 be used. Temperature readings are taken at different 

 heights, according to the construction of the brooder, 

 and if the thermometers used are too long or too short 

 the temperature readings will be misleading. 



Overcrowding in brooders should be avoided. When 

 a brooder is overcrowded the air becomes impure, and 

 this will result in a loss of vitality. 



As soon as chicks are able they should be allowed to 

 run in the open, but they should be protected from 

 predatory animals by covered runways. 



During inclement weather, chicks should be induced to 

 take exercise by scattering small grains in the litter. 



After each meal, unconsumed food should be removed 

 from the floor of the brooder. If it is left to be trampled 

 over and becomes sour, it will cause bowel troubles. 



