The County Record

CARE OF BABY CHICKS.

Suggestions Regarding Natural and Artificial Brooding.

The season is at hand when we must give careful attention to the baby chicks. Whether we buy them or hatch them ourselves, the baby chicks must be vigorous, active, strong on their feet, and must have high vitality, says N. R. Mehrhof, Extension Poultry Specialist. If the chicks come from good stock they will have these qualities. Only from such chicks can we expect to get heavy egg-production and good breeding stock for the future. Proper management of good young stock calls for attention to housing, feeding and sanitation.

Natural Brooding.--If the mother hen is going to bring up the chicks, one does not have to worry much over brooding conditions, but it is necessary that there be a good clean coop, that the mother hen herself be clean and free from lice, and that the chicks be locked up at night as protection from rats and other enemies.

Artificial Brooding.--If large numbers are to be hatched and brooded it is advisable and practically necessary to use artificial brooding. With this method the brooder is the first real home of the baby chicks, and suitable conditions are very essential, since during the first three weeks environment is of the greatest importance.

Success and economy in growing baby chicks are determined largely by (1) careful operation of brooder, (2) methods of feeding. The general principles of artificial brooding are practically the same whether for large or small brooders. The principal functions of the brooder is to supply heat and the ideal brooder supplies the proper degree of temperature but is so constructed that the baby chicks can find any temperature they desire. Beneath the hover the temperature for the first few days should be approximately 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The baby chicks should be closely confined under the hover of the brooder for the first day or two. This can be accomplished by using a circle of one-inch mesh poultry wire 8 inches high about two feet from the other edge of the hover proper. After the second or third day this wire may be removed and the chicks allowed the run of the entire house, but towards night each day this wire should be used again until the chicks learn to go in the brooder for warmth.

The chicks should have sufficient run if they are to develop into good breeding stock. In the colony system of breeding a run about 12 feet by 14 feet may be used to accommodate 250 to 300 chicks.

The temperature the first week should be held at the same degree and then gradually reduced. A successful poultryman will watch the chicks closely and govern the temperature according to conditions.

The constant aim should be to keep the chicks comfortable, especially at night when not exercised.