Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-03-15
DaiIp kenneber Journal.
The Incubator.

There are many people who do not IN
derstand or even know anything about the
operations OF the incubator, and for the
purpose of instruction we copy from the
Farm, Field and Fireside description OF
the simplest, and we think best. of three
kinds:
FOR our readers who desire to expert
ence some Or the pleasures and profits OF
artificial incubation, We will give direc-
tons tor making a simple and reliable
one. Have pine case made somewhat
ike a common washstand without the In
side divisions. About foot from the floor
of this case place brackets. and on level
with these screw a strong cleat across the
back Of the case inside. These are to sup
port the tank.
The tank should be made OF galvan-
lied iron three inches deep and otherwise
proportioned b fit exactly within the case,
and rest upon the brackets and cleat. The
tank should have top or cover soldered
on when it is made. At the top of this
tank in the center should be a hole an inch
in diameter, with rim two inches high,
and at the bottom toward one end, faucet
for drawing of the water. When the tank
is set in the ease ill up all the chinks and
cracks between the edges of the tank and
case with plaster Paris to keep all fumes
Of the lamp from the eggs.
Fill the tank at least two inches deep
with boiling water; gauging the depth
with small stick. Over the top of the
tank spread fine gravel quarter OF an
inch thick over this lay a coarse cotton
cloth. Place the eggs on the cloth, and
set kerosene safety-lamp under the CEN
ter Of the tank.
"The door of the lamp closet under the
tank must have holes in it for ventilation.
or the lamp will not burn. Turn the eggs
carefully every morning and evening. and
after turning sprinkle them with quite
warm water. Two thermometers should
be kept in the incubator, one half way be-
tween the center and each end. The av-
erage heat should be l05 degrees.
'lf the eggs do not warm up well. lay
piece of coarse carpet over them. IT they
are too warm, take out the lamp and open
the cover for a few minutes, but do not let
the eggs get chilled. If they should hap
pen to get down to 90 deg. or up to los,
you need not think the eggs are spoiled.
They will stand such variation once in a
while. but uniform temperature Of 1O5
deg. will secure more chickens, and they
will be stronger and more lively.
.'In Just such an incubator as this, |
Matched over two hundred chickens two
years ago.
after the chicks are Matched. they need
warm cover. good run. plenty of clean
gravel, fresh water and fine cracked corn,
and green food every day.
1t may not be amss to add that the di-
rections in connection with the other two
incubators vary chiefly in having the tank
it much more complicated. and having a
space of about four inches around the
compartments packed with sawdust. to
aid in equalzing the temperature l sup
pose. But according to the one describ-
ed. not really necessary. They also give
warning about testing the thermometer,
but only speak of one being used, with
bulb on a level with the eggs, and allow
greater variation of heat without fatal
damage to the eggs, allowing them to cool
down for Is minutes every day to about
80 deg. but require turning the eggs
oftener; once in eight hours instead of
twelve.
1t is further recommended to feed at
first with hard boiled egg chopped fine,
wheat screenings and millet seed. A bet
ter diet perhaps than cracked corn and
green feed.
1t seems "brooder" is sometimes used
by allowing the newly Matched chicks to
run under tank of warm water, a piece
os wooden cloth next to the tank to pre-
vent them from being burnt. No opening
under. except in front. where a fringe
should hang to let the chicks run in and
out under the tank. The temperature of
it not to he over ninety deg. After
week old. feed anything they will eat, but
never feed meal in raw state. Keep
little sand or fine gravel, and bone meal
within reach all the time, and see that
they are always dry. clean and warm. Do
not crowd Them the fewer together in
reason the better; and never have
chickens of different ages together.