ARTIFICIAL BROODING 75 



to huddle and endeavor in that way to keep them- 

 selves warm. When the proper amount of heat is 

 given to the chicks they will invariably spread out 

 on the floor of the brooder and be contented. 

 Crowding will result in some being trampled to 

 death, while others will be retarded in their growth, 

 or possibly become affected with white diarrhoea. 



Keep the brooder heated until the chicks get so 

 far developed that they no longer care to go under 

 the hover, when they may be removed to the colony 

 houses to make room for another brood. Some make 

 the mistake of taking the heat away from the chicks 

 too soon, with the result that they will have a lot 

 of stunted chicks. Leave it to the chicks to decide 

 when they should be taken from the brooder, and 

 you will always be on the safe side. 



Cover the bottom of the brooder with short cut 

 alfalfa, clover,' or fine cut straw, which should be 

 removed when it gets soiled, the bottom sprinkled 

 with a good disinfectant, and a new bedding put 

 in. Some also use dry dirt and sand for floor cov- 

 ering. 



Feeding is an important factor in the successful 

 raising of chicks. For the first thirty-six hours 

 the newly hatched need no feed at all, as the yolk 

 of the egg is absorbed, furnishing them with suffi- 

 cient nourishment. After this period has elapsed 

 give them a supply of fine grit and charcoal, and 

 if possible feed them some hard boiled eggs. The 



