THE B HOODING OF CHICKS 243 



droppings, which harbors disease. Tlirifty eliieks may he 

 expected only when tlielr ciuarters are dry and clean. 



Sunlight. — Snnhght and cheert'nhiess are synonymous in 

 the brooder house. Snnhght is a ])o\vert'ul disinfectant and 

 aids in Iveejiing tlie fjuarters dry. It adds materially to the 

 health and comfort of the chicks and aids in securing a ])rofit- 

 able growth. 



Number of Chicks to a Hover.— Commercial brooders are 

 usually overrated as to their ca])acity. While many of the 

 small hovers on the market rated at 101) chicks are capable 

 of brooding 100 chicks at the beginning, it is only when the 

 entire ho\'cr space is left free for the o(/cupancy of the 

 chicks. In some hovers nearly half the floor space under 

 tlie hover is occupied by the heater. No hover, however, 

 which is not over 2^ feet in diameter is cai)ablc of properly 

 rearing to weaning more than .')() chicks. 



While large coal stove hovers are capable of keeping 1500 

 to 2000 chicks warm, the advice of (_'ard and Kirkpatrick,' 

 that not more than 500 chicks he started in one lot is based 

 on sound practice. They advise 1 square foot of floor space 

 for each 4 chicks. On this basis a house or pen 10 by 12 

 feet is needed for each coal brooder. 



Ease of Disinfection.— The mutual arrangements of the 

 brooder and the room in which it is housed nmst be such that 

 every crack and crevice may be easily reached and thoroughly 

 soaked by disinfectant from a spray pump 



Safety from Fire.— While the brooder of today is much 

 safer from fire than its forerunners, this point should be 

 carefully considered in making a i)urchasc and kept con- 

 stantly in mind after the purchase. There is always a con- 

 siderable fire hazard where colony brooders are being 

 operated. 



Place of Operation. — Brooders should l)e located only in 

 buildings which meet the requirements of a good poultry 

 house. These requirements, already covered in part, are 

 fully discussed in Chapter VI. They are (1) dryness, (2) 

 good ventilation without drafts, (3) plenty of sunlight, (4) 



■ ' Storrs (ConiiO Bulletin, No. 96. 



