April, 1935] Agricultural Research in N. H. 29 



Electric Brooding of Chicks 



The brooding of chicks by electricity in unheated colony brooder houses 

 was successfully carried out through the winter and spring of 1933-1934. 



One of the coldest winters on record was experienced, the temperature 

 going as low as 30° below zero. For several days at a time the average for 

 a 24-hour period was approximately zero. Notwithstanding this extreme 

 temperature, the losses were moderate and due to causes which might occur 

 under any practical method of brooding. 



The growth of chicks was very favorable, uniformity was well in evi- 

 dence, and feathering was somewhat more rapid than similar lots under 

 hot-water brooding. 



Comparisons between chicks in insulated and non-insulated houses as 

 to feed consumption, weight gains, condition of chicks, condition of litter 

 and kilowatt-hours consumed showed practically no difference. The use of 

 insulation on walls and ceiling, therefore, seems to be unwarranted. 



The average current consumption for the entire brooding period was 

 1.55 kwhs. in insulated houses and 1.65 kwhs. in uninsulated houses. 



It was found that during extremely cold weather the litter just outside 

 the edge of the hover became so damp, due to the condensation of moisture 

 carried in the warm air, that frequent removal was necessary. 



There is not sufficient heat loss from the electric brooder to evaporate 

 moisture so deposited. (W. T. Ackernmn, T. B. Charles, G. M. Foulkrod, 

 A. E. Tepper, and F. D. Reed — Purnell Fund.) 



Part-Time Farming Study 



The part-time farming project was carried on as a Civil Works project 

 at the request of the Division of Subsistence Homesteads, U. S. Department 

 of the Interior. Of the 724 farms studied, only 66 reported that sales of 

 products exceeded the cost of food purchased. The average sales of farm 

 products amounted to $84; the average value of products raised, $203. 

 {CWA Funds.) 



Rural Housing and Electrification 



The rural housing survey was started in January and completed in March 

 as a Civil Works project. There were three men and from 13 to 19 women 

 working on this project during that time. Living conditions in 2,040 farm 

 homes in Merrimack County were studied. The typical farm house was 

 found to be 50 years old and badly in need of paint ; the greatest need is a 

 living room and closet space ; it has the kitchen sink piped with cold water ; 

 one in four has a bathtub ; half have electricity and refrigeration ; wood or 

 coal are used for cooking ; the laundry and kitchen are the same room. 



A sub-project of the rural housing survey, called the farm house j^lan- 

 ning project, employed two draftsmen for two-and-one-half months in the 

 drawing up of plans for the electrical layout for a modernized farm kitchen, 

 methods of repairing and rebuilding of chimney and flues to reduce fire 

 hazards, and plans and details for sun-room and vegetable storage cellars 

 which might be added to present farm houses. (C.W.A. Fu>ids.) 



