Jasper County Democrat, Volume 22, Number 10, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 May 1919 — POULTRY FACTS [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

POULTRY FACTS

CHICKS REARED IN BROODERS No System Ideal for All Condition*Success Depends on Individual Handling. (Prepared by the United States Department of Agriculture.) More difference of opinion exists as to the value of brooding systems than in any other part of poultry rearing, which shows that no system is ideal for all conditions, but that success depends largely on individual handling and care. Many failures in brooding are due to weak chicks which may be traced to faulty incubation or weakness In breeding stock. Successful chick raising depends primarily upon having healthy, vigorous breeding stock. Some of the most Important faults in the management es brooders are overcrowding and lack of ventilation, while the chicks fail to get sufficient exercise. The brooder should supply the proper temperature, be readily adapted to change in weather conditions, be easy to clean and well ventilated. The capacity should not be overestimated. One-half to two-thlrds of the number of chickens commonly advised will do much better than a larger number. Brooders and hovers should have fom one-half to two inches of sand, dry dirt, cut clover or chaff spread over the floor, and in case they are kept in the brooder house, over the floor of this also. The hovers should be cleaned frequently, as cleanliness is essential In raising chickens successfully. The best temperature at which to keep a brooder or hover depends upon the position of the thermometer, the style of the hover, the age of the chickens, and the weather conditions. Alm to keep the chickens comfortable. As the operator learns by the action of the chickens the amount of heat they require, he can discard the thermometer if he desires. When too cold they will crowd together and try to get nearer the heat. If It is found In the morning that the droppings are well scattered over the hover It is an Indication that the chickens have had enough heat. If the chickens are comfortable at night they will be spread out under the hover with the heads of some protruding from under the hove* cloth. Too much heat will cause them to pant and sit around with their mouths open. It is impossible to state for each case at what temperature the brooders should be kept to false young chickens; however, it will run from 90 up

to 100 degrees in some cases, as some broods of chickens seem to require more heat, than others, an average being 93 to 95 degrees for the first week or ten days, when the temperature is gradually reduced to 85 degrees for the following ten days, and then lowered to 70 or 75 degrees for as long as thechickens need heat. This depends somewhat on the season of the year and the number of the chickens, as it can be readily seen that the heat generated by 50 chickens would raise the temperature under the hover to a higher degree than the heat given off by a lesser number, consequently the amount of heat furnished by the lamp or stove will have to be regulated accordingly. As the chickens grow larger and need less heat the lamps may be used only at night, and later only on cold nights. Theheat is usually cut off at the end of four or five weeks in March or April in the vicinity of Washington, D. C., while winter chickens have heat for eight or ten weeks, or until they are well feathered. Care should be taken to prevent chilling or overheating the chickens, which weakens them and may result in bowel trouble. « When chickens are first put into the brooder they should be confined under or around the hover by placing a board or wire frame a few inches outside (this would not apply to small outdoor colony brooders).

Splendid Any Farm.