98 



PRACTICAL POULTRY PRODUCTION 



Figure 99. — Do not allow the mother hen 

 to range with the chicks. 



more rapid growth, as 

 the chicks do not have 

 so much forced exercise. 

 In most broods there 

 are sometimes one or 

 two chicks that are not 

 as strong as the others, 

 so that, when the hen 

 is confined, the weaker 

 chicks can always find 

 shelter and warmth 

 under her and in a few 

 days may develop into 

 strong healthy chicks. 

 Even when the mother hen is confined, the chickens 

 frequently have to be caught and put into their coops 

 during sudden storms, as they are apt to huddle in some 

 place out of the way where they are hable to become 

 chilled or drowned. Hens are usually left with the young 

 chicks as long as they 

 will brood them, which 

 time is usually about 10 

 or 12 weeks. 



ARTIFICIAL BROODING 

 Artificial brooding of 

 chicks consists in sup- 

 plying artificially the 

 heat that is furnished by 

 the hen under natural 

 conditions. As mention- 

 ed in the previous chap- 

 ter, the temperature of 



i\\c Jipn ia aKr>ii+ 1 f)fi° P Figure 100. — Confine the mother hen to the 



tne nen is aOOUt lUO i* ., brood coop until the chicks are weaned. 



