MISTAKES WITH BROODER CHICKS

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1683, 1 June 1904, Page 72 (Supplement)

MISTAKES WITH BROODER CHICKS

It is sometimes difficult to say in what direction the mistakes lie, unless one is acquainted with all 'the circumstances. The natural mother knows all these conditions, and in a measure succeeds in supplying them, but we have no instinct to - guido us, and until we learn from experience, by one failure after another, it is not strange that we make mistakes. With small chicks the temperature seems to be the most important matter, no strict rules for which can be laid down absolutely, varying as it should with that of the outside air, and also with the age of the chicks. They, should not be hampered with too much heat, but have enough, so 'they will rest quiet at night and not crowd together. Experience will enable the operator to tell whether the chickens are too warm or too cold without the use of a thermometer, although I generally make a practice of having one placed in the brooder. The arrangement of the hover is important, as well as that of the heater. I prefer the round or circular hover, placed in the centre of the brooder proper; this gives the chicks a chance to get away from the heat in any direction, while if the hover is in the corner or on. one side they are much injured by the heat, if not trying to avoid the heat, and bunch up in the corner or on the side, consequently they are much injured bv the heat, if not killed.

There are brooders on the market that are nothing more nor less than death traps. However, I believe more chicks are killed by crowding than by the use of poorly constructed brooders. I have never seen any brooder yet, rated for 50 chicks, that I would put more than 35 in, if I wished to have them to do their best, and 25 would be better. And I would not place more than 60 in a 100-chick size. In fact, my experience lias led me to believe about 50 or 60 will thrive better than a larger number together, no matter how large the brooder. Beg weakness has been a common ailment of brooder chicks in years' past, but during the last year or two I have not heard so much about this complaint. It is claimed by some that the cause comes from dry and hot floors in brooders. The heat drying out the oil of the leg, and cramps, followed by leg weakness, occurs. This may betlie!

cause in some instances, but I think the majority of cases are brought on Vy high feeding of a poorly balanced ration and lack of exercise. Brooder chioks require a great variety of food, for, unlike those that run at largo with the old lien, ..they have no opportunities to make up our deficiencies in feeding. Insect life and fresh, tender vegetation is their most natural and wholesome food. This the early broods are entirely deprived of-. Some fresh bone ground fine will come nearer taking the place of insects than anything else we can supply.—“ Tasmanian Mail.”