CHAPTER VI. 

 CARE OF YOUNG CHICKS IN BROODERS. 



Feed young poultry of all kinds early and late and often. 



Harriet. 



The rearing of chicks in 

 brooders does not differ mater- 

 ially from the ordinary method, 

 except that the intelligent in- 



stinct exercised by the hen in 



LAUNCHED IN A COLD caring for her brood has to be 



WORLD. T , 



exercised by the attendant. 



Whether the chicks should be removed from the 

 incubator soon after hatching or be left until nearly 

 all are out of the shell, depends a good deal on the 

 construction of the machine, especially of the egg- 

 drawer. On this point the manufacturer should give 

 explicit directions. As a rule, it is advisable to darken 

 any windows that may admit light to the egg-drawer 

 during the hatching process, to remove chicks as their 

 down becomes dry, and all empty shells, but to open 

 the incubator as little as possible. While the chicks 

 are hatching the temperature is apt to rise but should 

 not be allowed to go above 105 degrees. The removal of 

 a basketful of chicks will cause the temperature to drop 

 suddenly, a large amount of animal heat being thus 

 withdrawn. Care must be taken to replace it by a sur- 

 plus from the lamp. If the regulator at this stage fails 

 to act, the chicks and eggs left in the machine may 



