246 POULTRY PRODUCTION 



cleaning and disinfecting of the hover and its surroundings, 

 and a constant watch over the comfort of the chicks. 



The lamp should be filled, cleaned, and the wick trimmed 

 every day with the same scrupulous care as with an incu- 

 bator. The fact that the lamp bowl contains enough oil 

 to last forty-eight hours should be made use of only on such 

 terrifically windy days that there is danger of being unable 

 to relight the lamp if it is put out. Tlie time of filling and 

 cleaning should be that which proves, in the case of the 

 particular brooder being operated, to give the steadiest 

 and most dependable flame throughout the night. 



Fio. 124 



Device for catching spill. (Courtesy of Cyphers Incubator Company.) 



The first four weeks of a chick's life is the most critical 

 period. Usually when chicks are safely past this time, one 

 may be reasonably sure of rearing them. During this time, 

 however, they are highly susceptible to numerous chick 

 diseases and should be guarded against them in every way 

 possible. This means that the hover should be kept clean, 

 the litter freciuently changed, and in case of the appearance 

 of disease, or of death under or about the hover for any cause 

 except injury, the l)rooder and its immediate surroundings 

 should be painstakingly disinfected. A whisk broom will 

 be found a convenience in spraying a small brooder. 



Where several grou]3s of chicks are being brooded, it pays 

 to have a cleaned and disinfected hover in reserve, which nuiy 

 be used to replace one that needs special attention. 



