Bridgeton pioneer., 1889-04-18
NO. 2I55
MACHINE MADE CHICKS.
TONS OF TENDER FOWL FROM
NEW JERSEY.
Poultry Farming Reduced to an
Exact Mechanical Industry
Large Profit.

Large Profit.
Over ten tons of chickens hatched
by incubators are daily shipped by
the 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 it's inception. three
years ago. Three fourths of the
chickens sent to the markets and hotels
of Philadelphia are now artidcially
raised, and it is claimed that they are
more tender and sweet than those
whose entire production has been in
trusted TO nature. The only dis
tinguishable mark OF difference be-
tween the two kinds is that the incu-
bator chickens are lighter in color.
FIVE MILES OF HATCHERIEs.
The pioneer town in this new and
interesting line of poultry business is
Hammonton, n. j. where nearly four
tons of these artifcially raised fowls
are shipped weekly to the Eastern
markets. 1t is estimated that if all the
''broiling placesn-or establishments
! for the raising of chickens-located
there should be drawn out in a line
/ they would stretch for five miles.
CAREFULLY CHOSEN EGGS.
The process of raising chickens by
incubators Is extremely interesting.
The ''broiling season. as it is techni-
call called, since all Of the artifcislly
| hatched fowls are used for broiling
purposes, extends from the first of
January to the middle OF July. Nearly
all of the eggs selected are those
which come from the crossing of i'm
ported fowls since they produce the
best chickens for broiling. Before
their removal 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,
4 to be. handled roughly nor remain in
one position over twenty-four hours.
Before being inserted in the incubator
all il-shapen or abnormally sized eggs
are set aside and sold for culinary
purposes.
THE MATCHING MACHINE.
After this sorting process they are
ready for the incubators, 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 tc
siz dozen eggs, placed side by side, but
never on top of one another. Sur
rounding the trays are wooden re-
ceptacles which constitute the frame
work of the incubator, and into which
hot water is poured from the top of
the box. In some instances the water
is replaced by sawdust. The water or
attached to one end of the incubator.
The temperature of the interior is
regulated either by an electric ap-
paratus or by a mercurial althermometer
To keep healthy amount OF oxygen
stirring in the interior, each incubator
has a ventuating register at its base
Befor the reception of the eggs the in
terror 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 days the
eggs are taken from the incubator and
subjected to second test in dark
ened room. All those found TO be bad
are thrown out, and back 80 the
healthful eggs iato the heated box.
Sixteen days after this second test the
Matching generally begins. The first
thing noticed in the egg about to give
| forth chick is small crack near the
middle. Half an hour later another
crack appears. Then the egg begins
to roll with a jerking movement and
the head OF the imprisoned chick
emerges The little fellow then puts
forth its best effort and casts aside the
prison covering the fore part of it's
body. The half emerged bird takes
respite, gives a heavy kick and the
youngster marches out, a free-born
bird.
Cumberland county farmers are find-
ing that this is very excellent man.
ner of raising money, aud scores of
ineubators are in active operation.
Several poultry raisers in this city
have incubators going all the time.