THE BROODING OF CHICKS 2'.]:, 



advised. It concentrates the many small flocks into a few 

 larger ones, thereby reducing the care. The great advantage 

 of artificial brooding is the possiI)ility of raising chicks past 

 weaning, absolutely louse-free. 



Principles of Artificial Brooding. — The principles of brooding 

 are essentially those of housing, with the addition of a tem- 

 perature reciuirement. A complete brooder is simply a 

 special form of house designed for the purpose of keeping 

 chicks comfortable. The most recent developments in com- 

 mercial brooders are the portable hover and the large colony 

 brooder. The portable hover is a small comi)artmcnt con- 

 taining its own heater, in which the temperature may be 



Fig. Ill 



A portable Iiover. (Courtesy of Praii'ie State Incubator C(Jinpany.) 



controlled and which may be placed in anj' ordinary poultry 

 house, thereby rendering it habitable for chicks. The large 

 colony brooder is usually heated by a stove burning either 

 coal or oil. 



The conditions necessary for successful brooding are (1) 

 a compartment in which the temperature is under control 

 and which has (2) a constant sui)ply of fresh air and is (3) 

 dark; (4) dryness; (5) adequate space; (fi) the admission of 

 sunlight; (7) ease of disinfection; (S) protection against chick 

 enemies; (9) safety from fire. 



Temperature. — There is no general agreement among 

 poultrymen as to what constitutes exactly the proper hover 



