The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1916-07-08

<From the United States Department of
Agricultural
BrOOding with hens is the simplest
and easiest way to raise a few chick
ems and is the method which is used
almost exclusively on the average
farm. Artificial breeders are neces-
sary where winter or very early chick
ems are raised, where only Leghorns
or other nonsitting breeds of poultry
are kept, or where large numbers of
chickens are raised commercially.
Sitting hens should be confined to
slightly darkened nests at Matching
time and not disturbed unless they
step on or pick their chickens when
Matching. The eggshells and any
eggs which have not Matched 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 it is best that
the hen remain on the nest 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 read
tly determined after they are matured.
Use Insect Powder.
Hens will brood successfully 10 to
Is chicks early in the breeding sea-
son, and IS to % in warm weather.
depending upon the size Of the hen.
Powder the hen with a 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 chick
ems are weaned. If lice become thick
on the chickens. or if they are trou-
bIed with head lice" a very little
grease, such as lard or vaseline, may
be applied with the fingers on the
head, neck, under the wings, and
around the vent.
Keep Brood cooPs Clean.
The brood coop should be cleaned
at least once week and kept free
from mites. If mites are found in the
coop, it should be thoroughly cleaned
and sprayed with kerosene oil or crude
petroleum. From 1 to 2 inches of sand
or dry dirt or a thin layer of straw
OF fine hay should be spread on the
floor of the coop. Brood coops should
be moved weekly to fresh ground, pre-
ferabiy where there is new grass.
Shade is very essential in rearing
chickens, especially during warm
weather.
Chicks are usually left in the incu-
bator from "a to Sc hours after hatch
ing. without feeding, before they are
removed to the brooder. which should
have been In operation for day or
two at the proper temperature for re-
ceiving the chickens
Breeders and HoVeFs.
The capacity OF brooders and hovers
il often overestimated, and one-hali
to two-thirds of the number of chick
ems commonly advised will do much
better than a larger number. The
danger from fire, due frequently tc
carelessness and lack of attention, is
considerable In cheap breeders anG
hovers, while there is some risk IN the
best grades, although proper care vii
reduce this to minimum. individual
hovers in colony houses or several II
one large house are giving quite gen
eFal satisfaction on small poultr!
farms, while the pipe system OF brood
Ing is commonly used in large com
mercial poultry plants and where ex
tensive winter brooding is done. Gas
cline breeders, brooder stoves burn
ing engine-distillate oil, and a sepaT
ate individual hover heated by a Goa