Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service Lafayette, Indiana
Mimeo P-34 Revised 1962
BROODING WITH ELECTRICITY by J. W. Sicer, Animal Sciences Department
Among the advantages of brooding chicks with conventional electric hovers are accurate temperature control; labor economy, no coal to carry in, no ashes to carry out, no oil or gas tank to keep filled; no sooty burners to clean; a reduced fire hazard; a comparatively low fuel cost; and a cool room system of brooding that approaches natural conditions and seems to stimulate rapid feathering.
There are also disadvantages, such as power failure. This is seldom serious, but sleet storms have been known to break the lines over a wide area and cut off the current long enough to cause considerable extra work in efforts to keep chicks comfortable.
Other problems are excessive moisture in cold weather brooding, the inability to see all of the chicks readily, the tendency for chicks to be somewhat slow in becoming acquainted with the brooder, high fuel cost if brooders are carelessly operated and the occasional danger of electric shock from improperly built or worn brooders.
Moisture Problem
Excessive moisture when brooding in cold weather often causes concern. Electric brooders are not intended to heat the house--only the air under the hover. Cool air in a house with an electric brooder cannot hold as much moisture as will warmer air. The moisture condenses on the cold walls, ceiling, windows and floor and the litter frequently becomes damp and soggy. Sometimes there is condensation underneath the hover, particularly on the metal legs. So long as the litter stays dry, a little moisture on the legs of the hover or
on the walls or ceiling of the house causes more worry to the operator than it does harm to the chicks. Damp litter, on the other hand, favors the development of coccidiosis. If the litter gets too wet it becomes impractical to follow a "deep litter” program. Wet litter must be removed.
Insulating the ceiling and walls of the brooder house will reduce the moisture problem. Insulation may not be necessary in many cases, but it is usually advisable for cold weather brooding. Insulating board must be protected with a hard-surfaced material as far up as the chickens can reach, since they will eat holes in most insulating boards.
A deep litter-3 inches or more- is usually enough insulation on the floor. In portable, wood-floor houses use a layer of building paper under the litter.
When raising more than one brood of chicks, a most satisfactory way to stop moisture is to use a permanent brooder house large enough for two or more brooders. One of these brooders may be a coal, oil or drum type gas brooder that will supply heat to the room as well as to the chicks under its hover. The additional heat helps the warmer air absorb more moisture in the house and permits more liberal ventilation. Without adequate ventilation moisture is always a problem. The room temperature should not be too high, - preferably not over 65 degrees. When using a permanent house, it is wise to have portable range shelters to house the pullets if they are to be raised on pasture after brooding heat is no longer needed.