Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1889-04-07
MACHINE MADE CHICKS
TONS OF TENDER FOWL PROM NRW JERSEY
HATCHBRIRS.
Poultry Farming Reduced TO an Exact Mechanical
Industry and Made to Yield
Large Profits.

Over ten tons of chickens Matched by IN
cnbstors are daily clipped by tie poultry
raisers of Southern New jersey to supply
the markets of this and other cities. The
growth of this feature of Jersey farm life
has been marvellous since its inception,
three wears ago. Three fourths of the
chickens cent TO the markets and hotels OF
Philadelphia are now artifcially raised,
and it is claimed that they are more tender
and sweet than those whose entire produc-
ton hes been intrusted to nature. The
only distinguishable mark Of difference be-
tween the two kinds is that the incubator
chickens are lighter in color.
FIVE MILES OF HATCHERIEs.
The pioneer town in this new and in
teresting line of poultry business is Ham
montown, n. j., where nearly four tons
of these artifcialy raised fowls are shipped
weekly to the Eastern markets. 1t ls es-
timated that if all the "broiling places
OF establishments for the raising of chick
ens-located there should be drawn ont IN
a line they would stretch for five miles.
CAREFULLY CHOSEN EGGS.
The process of raising chickens by incu-
bators is extremely interesting. The "broll-
ing season" as it is technically called,
since all of the artificialiy Matched fowls
are used for broiling purposes, extends
from the first of January to the middle oil
July. Nearly all the eggs selected are
those which come from the crossing OF IN
ported fowls since they produce the best
chickens for broiling. Before their re-
moval TO the incubator especial care Is
taken with the eggs to preclude all
danger of their not Matching. They must
neither be allowed to grow cold, TO be
handled roughly nor remain in one posi-
ton over twenty-fOur hours. Before being
inserted in the incubator all ill-shspen or
abnormally SEED eggs are set aside and
sold for culinary purposes.
THE MATCHING MACHINE.
After this sorting process they are ready
for the iucubstors, which are wooden air
tight boxes varying in size from three feet
square to others two, three and four times
as large. Within these incubators are
rows of trays, each of which can hold from
three to six dozen eggs, placed side By
side. but never on top of one another.
Surrounding the trays are wooden recepts-
cIes which constitute the framework OF the
incubator, and into which hot water is
poured from the top of the box. In some
instances the water isreplaced by sawdust.
The water or sawdust is heated by coal
I - and ~ a n
bator. The temperature OF the interior 10
regulated either by an electric apparatus
or by q mercurial thermometer. To keep
a healthful amount of oxygen stirring ia
the interior, each incubator has veatila-
ting register at it's base. Before the re-
ception of the eggs the interior is heated to
a temperature of 101 degrees. Everything
is then ready FOR the eggs.
TWENTY. ONE DAYS TO HATCH.
After the expiration of five daysthe eggs
are taken from the incubator and subjected
10 second tsst in darkened room. All
those found to be bad are thrown out, and
back 20 the healthful eggs into the heated
box. Sixteen days after this second test
the Matching generally begins. The hret
thing noticed in the egg about 10 give forth
& check is a small crack near the middle.
Half an hour later another crack appears.
Then the egg begins TO roll with a jerking
movement ard the head of the imprisoned
chick emerges. The little fellow then puts
forth its best effort and casts aside the
prison covering the forepart Of Its body.
The half emerged bird takes a respite,
gives 8 heavy kick and the youDgster
marches out, o free-born bird.
CARED FOR VERY TENDERLY.
The newly born chickens are Kept in the
incubator tweniy-four hours, after which
they are removed to the brooding place,
which is q binding heated by hot water TO
the temperature of about 80 degrees. The
chicks are kept here for a week, after which
they are permitted to take walk in q small
coop within the breeding house. On ve!y
warm days the youngsters are allowed to
stroll out in the open air. Only the purest
grain is given to the chickens, as sour food
is found to be fatal After the fowl has
reached the weight of from II to pounds
they ere taken to the slaughter house to be
killed for the market. 1t is estimated that
65 per cent. of the eggs placed in the incu-
bators will hatch and yield chickens fit for
market. The great advantage OF the arti-
fetal Matching process lies in the fact that
the chickens are ready for the market two
weeks il advance of those raised by hens.