The Columbus journal., 1904-03-16
POULTRY

c:9ss&:: r.,
Buying IN lnewbatos.
From Farmers Review: Many per-
sons who are planning TO engage more
extensively in the poultry business
are now studying the advisabihty 01
buying IN incubator. That poultry
may be more probably reared By
artificial means than BY natural meth
ods Is now well known and universally
acknowledged, and rare indeed 70 the
interested poultry keeper who does
not desire to own one of these popular
machines. But while their nrst cost
is. of course, considerable, and to
many seems prohibitive, It u In fact
not excessive, compared with the cost
Of other special lines Of machinery.
The poultry income on any farm
where this particular branch receives
anything like the atteutioa II deserves
is from one to three hundred dollars
per year, and what ether article Of
convenience which will % greatly
facilitate the work in other lines ot
tarm Industries can be bought for less
than the cost of . arst-class incuba-
tor? And what other machine II there
which may be made to return . great
er profit on the investment?
But the fact that Q much larger
number Of fowls may bs hatched and
reared with an incubator and broodef
is not their only advantage. In truth
this is one Of their least, stree BY
their use It is practicable to control
the season - well - the quantity Of
the poultry output. Not Of fowls alone
but eggs ~ well, since the age Of the
pullets more perhaps than any other
one consideration determines their
first laying season. But this 70 not oil.
The young poultry may be reared at
q time when other farm work u not
pressing and the cockerels and other
culls sold at an early age for far more
than could be obtained for mature
birds Q few weeks later. Then. too.
these early reared chicks are les3 lia-
BILE to be afflicted with lice. or sub
jected to the depredAtions Of rats.
hawks and other summer enemies.
As to the kind or particular make
Of incubator. there IL perhaps much
less choice than manufacturers them
selves would lead US to believe. All
claim. and OF course aim, to employ
the best methods OF obtaining the de-
sired results, and In this day Of sharp
competition are as anxious to make.
IS We are to buy. only frst-class ma
chimes. Almost all manufacturers.
however. to meet the demands OF all
classes of customers. make several dif-
ferent grades of both incubators and
brooders, OF varying prices. While
each and all are undoubtedly ~ good
as coulG be produced for the money
asked. those Of like capacity for which
the largest price is demanded have
no doubt cost the most to produce and
are intended to be tae best machines.
This fact should be borne In mind BY
prospective purchasers.
In regard to the size or capacity OF
machine best adapted to the require
ments Of the ordinary poultry raiser.
would say that this matter should be
decided without regard to tho differ
ence in price between those Of the
larger and smaller sizes. Right here
many . buyer has made . serious mis-.
take, which is keenly regretted later
on. It is almost as easy to rear q
large hatch as . small one, and there
is this advantage-chicks all Of one
age may be fed and cared for In the
same manner and ut the same time,
and later marketed and managed more
conveniently, while with many small
hocks on hands at once, and OF vary.
ing ages. it becomes impossible ia
give each the special care required
without separate yards and buildings.
On the other hand there 10 limit to
the size which the smaller poultry
raisers can use to advantage. Those
extra large sizes are In reality special
purpose machines and are manufac'
tured to meet the requirements ol
specialists who make poultry raising
IN exclusive business. Those who en-
gage in It as . side issue seldom KEEP
or plan to raise . very large dock. %
do not have . sufficient number Of
brooders and other accessories to sue
cessfully care for three or four hun
dred chicks at one time. All things
considered the two hundred egg size
is the best machine for general pur-
poses.
While all companies who manufae'
ture incubators also make brooders.
and usually offer some reduction In
price on both ordered together, ~ q
matter Of fact there 10 more difference
In make and quality OF the br0oders
offered BY different companies than
there is in their incubat0rs. This ID
possibly because the requirements Of
incubating eggs are fewer and easier
met than are those OF the living
chicks. At any rate selected my In
cubator almost without hesitation,
while studied catalogues extensively
and corresponded with many different
manufacturers before deciding on the
make Of brooder to be used with it.
The one selected has many apparent
advantages, being what is called an
outdoor brooder. This brooder will
not be used outside in cold weather.
although recommended for such use.
II is really two separate brooders.
which may be connected or not a
desired. Ono IS designed for night
use and the other for . daytime ex-
tension. One Of the features which
recommend It to thoughtful people ID
the double floor and moderate bottom
heat under the hover. With this two
others Of simpler and less ~expensive
makes are used In warmer weather
| and for the older chicks.