BROODING 443 



there will result a loss of considerable blood, and as a loss of 

 blood means a loss of proteins from the body it can be readily 

 seen that it is a condition to be avoided. Wlien the vice starts, 

 remove the chicks with bleeding toes and give the flock more 

 room, and if the animal feed has not been included in their feed, 

 supply it. Give them scratch feed in litter and make them 

 work. 



In those with a depraved appetite often one finds the chicks 

 fill their crops to distention with sand and other undigestible 

 material, as chaff. Many of these birds then suffer from im- 

 paction and may die. If they pick at the curtain the oil-cloth 

 may be replaced with canvas. 



In the hot summer time it is essential that the young birds 

 be provided with sufficient shade. An orchard makes an ex- 

 cellent place in which to raise poultry. If it is the intention 

 to raise poultry on the semi-intensive plan it is well to plant 

 the trees about 45 feet apart, which makes it possible to alter- 

 nate crops and poultry, and by having twice as much orchard 

 space as needed one plot can be farmed in corn, wheat, or oats 

 for poultry feed and, at the same time, the fruit trees and nut 

 trees, as pecans, will als® bear a crop. This tillage prevents 

 the soil from becoming germ-laden and foul, a condition 

 dangerous to the health of the birds. 



PLANS FOR A HOME-MADE BROODER 



Figure 169 illustrates a home-made brooder. It is 15 inches 

 deep, 24 inches wide, and 48 inches long. When the top and 

 bottoms are added the height is about 17 inches. 



The following material is required: 150 lineal feet of 

 matched flooring, with SJl-inch surface and about 40 lineal 

 feet of ^"i X 13^-inch strips. Buy both the flooring and the 

 strips in either 12, 14, or 16 feet lengths. Use 4 and 8 size 

 finishing nails. One pound of sheet asbestos, one piece of 

 standpipe tin, about 25 inches square; two pair of small 

 hinges, one piece of Jl^-inch mesh wire cloth, about 6 X 12 

 inch size. One lamp front and chimneyless burner. 



First, make the ends 15 inches high by 24 inches long. Nail 

 the end or cross-pieces on the outside, and allow same to extend 



