298 COMMERCIAL POULTRY RAISING 



than with incubators. One might say, there is a brooder for any 

 or all circumstances. 



It goes without saying that artificial brooding should be in 

 imitation of natural brooding, except that the hen's shortcomings 

 should be eliminated. And the hen has her faults, make no mis- 

 take on this point. For example, she will take her brood afield 

 in wet weather, or lead them through wet grass in the early morn- 

 ing, where the chicks may become chilled and die. 



The chief requirements of artificial brooding are these: (i) a 

 compartment in which the temperature is equal to the warmth 

 of the hen's body, which is accessible to the chicks at all times ; (2) 

 an abundance of fresh air as well as warmth, because if heat is 

 obtained at the expense of ventilation, the chicks will not thrive; 

 (3) a well-lighted, moderately warm compartment in connection 

 with the heated hover, which will provide a place for exercise, 

 feeding and everyday activities; (4) a protected run or yard 

 where the chicks can be given outdoor freedom in nice weather, 

 and an opportunity to pick up greens and grits; (5) the interior 

 of the brooder must be dry, capable of being flooded with sun- 

 light, and safe from jfire risks; (6) every compartment and all 

 appliances must provide means for convenience in cleaning and 

 disinfecting. 



Common Defects. — The absence of one or more of the fore- 

 going requirements is quite common in many of the brooding 

 systems in use. The greatest difficulty seems to be that the in- 

 stallation of the average brooding system is without sufficient 

 latitude — a margin of safety which will automatically take up 

 the slack resulting from sudden changes in temperature and so 

 forth. Many brooders are run too hot or too cold, some have 

 insufficient ventilation, and others are over-crowded. Heavy 

 losses are likely to occur from these conditions, for which perhaps 

 the operator condemns his apparatus, when as a matter of fact 

 the trouble probably exists solely in its management. 



Careless Operation. — ^Nine times out of ten losses in the 

 brooder are due to carelessness or mismanagement, and the most 

 conspicuous blunders are made at the beginning of a new brood, 



