BROODING CHICKS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 8183, 26 July 1912, Page 2

BROODING CHICKS

One of the most controversial topics among poultiymen is that connected with the brooding of incubator chick*. For years the merits of artificiallyheated versus fireloss brooders has been discussed, but so far no official data is available that •will chow the relative merits of the two systems when put to the test on large commercial plants. Host of the larger plants use the heated brooder because it has under careful management shown fairly good results, but most of those using this, means ol rearing chicks have no experience with any ether system and are unable therefore to give any definite opinion as to the advantages, if any, of any, other methoji of brooding, it is significant, however, that the {State poultry expert does not recommend the fireless on large plants, and no doubt he can back his opinion up with argument, but those engaged in the business would probably prefer to have an actual demonstration made with a large number of cnicks under both systems that would be convincing. In conversation with one of the leading poultry farmers late«ly the writer learned that it was this breeder's intention to give the firelesa a trial this year on his plant, where some thousands of chicks are reared t annually. In fact, a firelees has already been tried on one batch of chicks with results that have been so satisfactory that the owner is • disposed to take out the heating apparatus altogether. He is of the opinion that in a few years' time all commercial plante will rely solely ; upon . fiiwkge brooders, and he thinks better ell round results will follow. His experience has led to the conclusion that the heated brooder does not permit the circulation of sufficient fresh air, and it is difficult also to maintain an even degree of heat in the hover®. On the other hand, the firelees provides a more natural an<^

health? wav if properly managed. So long as the house is dry and no wot can reach the chicks they will stand any amount of cold provided there is a warm corner for them to run to- lie claims that as long as the birds do well it does not matter which system is followed, but his short experience with tireless has proved that it is perfectly safe and that the chicks can be hardened off m little more than half tho time.