BROODING 141 



be put on range in a cool house when about eight weeks old. 

 But a gradual lowering of the temperature, and the harden- 

 ing of the chicks before they are put out in the cool house, is 

 essential to successful rearing. If not gradually accustomed 

 to doing without heat, many will die from the sudden change. 



LABORATORY EXERCISES 



Exercise No. 25. — Visit one or more poultry farms in 

 the vicinity to make a study of brooders. A better scheme, 

 where possible, is to have in the classroom two or more 

 types of small brooders. These should be studied externally 

 and internally, as the incubator was studied. The different 

 types studied should be examined to see in what way they 

 provide the four compartments or conditions which are 

 required by a successful brooder as specified. 



Exercise No. 26. — A small out-door brooder should be 

 placed in the school yard in some dry place which is protected. 

 The south side of the building is a good location. The chicks 

 which are hatched in former exercises can be brooded in this 

 brooder. Special care should be used not to overcrowd the 

 brooder, and the pupils attending it must follow very care- 

 fully the instruction for temperature and feeding, 



THOUGHT QUESTIONS 



1. Define the meaning of the term "brooding." 



2. Enumerate the four requirements of a successful brooding equipment. 



3. Enumerate three general tjnpes of brooder houses in common use. 



4. Describe the small colony brooder. 



5. What are the characteristic features of the large colony brooders? 



6. Describe the long intensive brooder house. 



7. What operations are necessary to prepare the brooder for the chicks? 



8. How should the chicks be carried from the incubator to the brooder? 



9. How many chicks should be placed in one brooder compartment? 



10. What is the proper degree of warmth for the different ages of chicks? 



11. What are the two principal requirements in feeding brooder chicks? 



12. Describe in detail a practical method of feeding brooder chicks. 



13. What is the importance of fresh air in brooding chicks? 



14. What is the effect of overheating the hover? 



15. How will chilling cause a high death rate? 



16. What is meant by cannibalism and how can it be prevented? 



17. What infectious disease is very dangerous to young chicks? 



18. How and why should the brooder chicks be carefully weaned? 



