Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1912-05-24
Feeding and Caring for Incubator
Chicks

lowing instructions, more as set of
rules than as general discussion, be-
cause. first, they may be tackled up
in some convenient place and referred
to each day until one is familiar with
them, and hence they make very
good working plan; second, by con-
stantly referring to rules, the impor-
lance of the minor things in chick
raising will be more appreciated.
/. Start the brooder day or so
before the incubator matches, so as to
regulate and thoroughly warm all the
parts,
?. Remove the chicks from the
incubator when they are about q TO
"a hours old, or when dry and
sprightly. Put them in box contain
ing some fine chaff, and cover with
cloth until they are about SO hours
old.
3. Kill all the crippled chicks or
those that are so weak that you be-
lieve they will not live. The grow
ing period is so short that it is not
worth while to attempt to raise them.
4. Put all the healthy chicks in the
brooder when they are about SO hours
old. Do not put too many in the
brooder, so as to crowd them. Usu-
ally brooder which is rated to hold
100 chicks will give much better re-
suits with about 60.
5. After they have been in the
broeder little while, to get accus-
toned TO it, give them their first
feed. This may be done by putting 1t
on paper In the front part of the
brooder.
6. The first feed should consist
of either the yolks of hard boiled eggs
or old rye bread soaked in milk. and
allowed to drain before feeding. The
infertile eggs or those that had weak
germs and which were taken from the
machine during the first half of in
cubatlon may be used.
z. Do not feed much at first, but
feed every three hours during the
first week. This would bring the
feeds about as follows; a, m,
a. M, IL m, p. m, and p. m.
8. After the second day ground
grain or rolled oats may be gradually
substituted for eggs and soaked
bread. A mixture similar to the fol-
lowing may be used; Ground wheat
two parts, ground corn one part,
ground oats or beans one part, beef
scraps one-fourth to one-half part.
8. Keep clean, fresh water before
them at all times.
10. Generally speaking, the tenn
perature of the brooder should be
kept at about 80 to 95 degrees the
first three or four days, then may be
lowered to 80 to 80 degrees for the
next week and a half After this it
will not be necessary to burn the
lamp except at night, unless the day
is cold.
IL However, watchfulness and
good judgment are usually better
than thermometer When chicks
are warm and comfortable they will
be scattered around under the hover,
II cold they will huddle and crowd in
the corners, and if too hot will hunt
the openings spread their wings. and
are liable to contract diseases from
being in the drafts.
L. BE very careful not to leave
the lamp turned too high, as it always
erawls up after burning a little. See
that it has plenty of air, as careless
ness here may result in a fire.
10. If any water is spilled on the
floor put in some litter, as wet floors
cause disease.
IL II the weather is cold the
chicks can be kept in the brooder the
nrst two days, then allowed to run
out through the small opening, and
after the third or fourth day the large
opening may be used. If the weather
is warm, allow them to be out from
the first day.
IS. Keep fine grits, oyster she'll
or gravel so they can have access TO
it at all times.
10. Clean the brooder thoroughly
every week, and spray with some dis
infectant.
II. When the chicks are six or
seven weeks old, remove the brooder
and put low roosts in the brooder
house.
IS Feed meat scrap, ground
green bone or any other form of ami
nal food, together with green vege-
tables at least three times a week
and little every day is better.
10. Always see that the chicks are
comfortable and contented. They are
usually fairly quiet if they are con-
tented.
30. Tt Is very essential 49, -