West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1916-04-13

Brooding with hens is the simplest
and easiest way to raise few chick
ems and is the method which is used
almost exclusively on the average
iarm. Artificial brooders are neces-
sary where winter or very early
chickens are raised, where only Leg
horns or other non-sitting breeds of
poultry are kept, or where large num-
bers of chickens are raised CONNER
cially. Sitting hens should be con
hned TO slightly darkened nests at
Matching time and not disturbed un-
less they step ON or pick their chick
ems when Matching. The egg shells
and any eggs which have not hatchcd
should be removed as soon as the
Matching is over. Hens should be fed
as soon as possible after the eggs are
Matched as feeding tends TO keep them
quiet; otherwise many hens will leave
the nest. In most cases Il is best that
the hen remain on the most and brood
the chicks for at least "a hours after
the Matching is over. All the chickens
should be toe-punched or otherwise
marked before they are transferred to
the brooder or brood coop, so that
their age and breeding can be readily
determined after they are matured.
Hens will brood successfully 10 To
10 chicks early In the breeding season,
and Is to 20 in warm weather. depend
| ing upon the size OF the hen. Pow
der the hen with good insect powder
before moving her and the chicks TO
the brood coop. The hen should be
busted every two weeks or as often as
necessary until the chicks are weaned.
II lice become thick on the chickens.
or If they are troubled with "head
lice" very little grease, such as lard
or yaseline, may be applied with the
fingers on the head, neck. under the
| wings and around the vent
Brood coops should be made so that
they can be closed at night, to keep
out cats, rats and other animals, and
| enough ventilation should be allowed
so that the hen and chicks will have
plenty of fresh air. The hen should be
confined In the coop until the chick
ems are wenned while the chickens are
allowed free range after they are n
few days old
The brood coop should be cleaned at
least once a week and kept free from
| mites. If mites are found i'm the COOP
II should be thoroughly cleaned and
sprayed with kerosene oil or crude
petroleum. From ! TO 2 inches o.
sand or dry dirt or thin layer OF
straw or fine hay should be spread
on the floor of the coop. Brood coops
should be moved weekly to fresh
ground, preferably where there is new
grass. Shade is very essential I'm
rearing chickens. especially during
warm weather; therefore. the coops
should be placed in the shade when
ever possible
Chicks are usrally left int he incu-
bator from "a to 30 hours after hatch
| ing, without feeding, before they are
removed to the brooder, which should
have been I'm operation for a day or
two at the proper temperature for re-
| ceiving the chickens a beginner
should try his brooding brOOding sys-
tenn very carefully before nc uses &C.
After placing the chickens I'm the
brooder they can be given feed and
water Subsequent loss I'm chickens is
| frequently due TO chilling received
while taking them from the incuba-
tor 10 the brooder They should be
moved In covered basket or recep-
tacle in cool or cold weather
The capacity Of brooders and hov-
ers is often over estimated. and one
half TO two-thirds OF the number OF
chickens commonly advised will do
much better than larger number
The danger from FIRE. due frequently
/ 20 carelessness and lack OF attention.
is considerable I'm cheap brooders and
| hovcrs. while there Is some risk in
the best grades. although proper care
viii reduce this 10 a minimum. Tn
| dividual hovers In colony houses or
/ several in one large house arc giving
| quite general satisfaction ON small
poultry farms. while the pipe system
/ Of breeding Is commonly used On large
! commercial poultry plants and where
extensive winter broodlng is done
! Gasoline broOders. brOOder stoves
| burning cnginc-disGlate oil. and
separate individual hover heated BY q
coal fire are coming into more gen
eral use each with a capacity varying
from 200 TO 500 chickens. These
large Individual brooders arc used in
I colony houses and when the chickens
arc weaned the colony house IS used
as growing coop. which requires a
smaller investment than the long.
pipcd brooder house and allows one
20 rear the chicks ON range TO good
advantage.
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
chickena. and the weather conditions.
Aim 10 keep the chickens comfort
able. As the operator learns by the
actions Of the chickens tho amount or
heat they require. he can discard tho
thermometer N he desires. When too
cold they viii crowd together and try
20 get nearer the heat. II Is impossi-
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