46 BIGGIE POULTRY BOOK. 



used by some, while others prefer long houses con- 

 taining many apartments, with an individual brooder 

 in each. In these long houses some employ a green- 

 house heating apparatus, warming the brooders by a 

 system of hot-water pipes. 



On general principles it may be said that bottom 

 heat is practicable in mild weather only, when little 

 artificial heat is required. Top heat, such as is obtained 

 by radiation from a tank of hot water overhead, is un- 

 natural and gives good results only when the tank is 



narrow and so placed as to 

 prevent crowding into 

 corners under it. The 

 system nearest to nature 

 is that which tempers the 

 floor and the whole atmos- 

 phere of the brooder and gives off the greatest amount 

 of warmth either by radiation, or by diffusing a current 

 of warm pure air from the center. 



It may be said in favor of long brooder houses 

 containing many apartments tliat they are economical 

 to build and manage ; against them, that they are ex- 

 pensive to maintain unless run at full capacity. 



In favor of individual brooders and small movable 

 houses it may be said, they may be moved to new, 

 clean ground whenever desirable ; the flocks can be 

 kept separate when disease comes to one part of the 

 poultry yard ; if fire breaks out in one house it need 

 not destroy all, and when the birds are old enough the 

 brooder can be removed, perches put in and the house 

 affords a home for the flock until sold or moved to the 

 hennery. 



