ARTIFICIAL BROODING 253 



None of the hovers, however, that are not over two feet 

 and a half in diameter are capable of properly rearing to 

 weaning more than fifty chicks. 



Chick Vices. — ^The most common brooder vices, aside from 

 crowding, are "toe-picking," and the development of a 

 "depraved appetite." 



Toe-picking with the youngsters appears to develop for 

 much the same reasons as feather-pulling with old stock. 

 It is likely to develop when the quarters are crowded or 

 when there is insufi&cient animal feed in the ration. The 

 constant picking at the toes finally causes blood to fiow. 

 This, proving palatable, leads to cannibalism, which is 

 difficiilt to check, and which may cause quite serious \oss. 



When toe-picking is discovered, roomier quarters or more 

 animal feed or both should be provided. The chicks with 

 bleeding toes should be removed and kept separate until 

 they are well healed. 



The depraved appetite is frequently difficult to assign 

 a cause or cure for. It m^y consist in eating the felt fringe 

 curtains of the hover, filling up on sand or earth, or other 

 unnutritious materials. The cause usually ascribed is the 

 lack of some necessary ingredient in the ration. 



Unless impaction occurs the vice usually does the chick 

 little harm. If the object of their interest is the hover 

 curtain, it may be necessary to substitute oilcloth for the 

 felt or flannel. 



Brooding Ducks. — Ducklings take even more kindly to 

 artificial brooding than chicks do. They are handled in the 

 same manner as chicks except that the temperature which 

 should be 95° F. at the beginning will usually be reduced to 

 between 80° and 85° within a week or ten days. 



