BROODING 457 



protected front may be kept open in warm weather. In 

 cold weather the window is drawn shut and thus the birds 

 may bask ia the sunshine. The wire netting should be of 1- 

 inch mesh. 



The Baby Chick Industry. — One of the large branches of 

 the poultry industry to develop during the past few years is 

 the baby chick business. Some commercial hatcheries pro- 

 duce over a million baby chicks. The fact that 47 per cent, 

 of the yolk is inclosed as an abdominal yolk sac for food for 

 the baby chicks for at least seventy-two hours makes shipping 

 of chicks just hatched possible. They have been successfully 

 shipped distances of over 1000 miles. 



The following measurements are standard boxes for ship- 

 ping baby chicks in large consignments : 



100-chick box — 22 in. by 18 in. by 53-^ deep — 4 compartments. 

 60-chiok box — 18 in. by 11 in. by 5}4 deep — 2 compartments. 

 25-chick box — 9 in. by 11 in. by 5J^ deep — 1 compartment. 

 12-oliick box — 6 in. by 8 in. by 5 in. deep — 1 compartment. 



Two strips of wood, one-half of an inch square, are tacked on 

 each cover of a shipping box crosswise of the box and two inches 

 from either end. These strips one-half inch longer than the 

 width of the box and are tacked on in such a manner so as to 

 project one-quarter of an inch on either side. 



The above procedure prevents the ventilating holes from 

 becoming closed when stacked in transit. 



Proper Care of Baby Chicks in Transit. — Numerous claims 

 are paid each year for the loss by death of baby chicks in 

 transit, caused by improper handling or exposure to extreme 

 heat or cold. 



On account of the delicate nature of such shipments, it is 

 important that employes handle them with the greatest care, 

 and also expedite the movement as much as possible, always 

 forwarding on- first available train and dehvering to consignee 

 immediately upon arrival at destination. 



In the handling of shipments of baby chicks express or postal 

 employes should be governed by the following rules: 



The boxes must be carried on the level; otherwise the chicks 

 will trample or smother those beneath. 



Boxes should not be jarred, shaken, or thrown. 



