The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1913-04-10
NOTES ON INCUBATION.
From the College of Agriculture, U. of n

From the College of Agriculture, U. of NJ
During the next two or three months
great deal of the poultryman's atten.
ton will be taken up in running incuba-
tors and in trying to bring out from his
machine strong, healthy, and vigorous
chicks. In order to do this it is essential
that ne follow out few general princi-
pies, such as the use of fresh, or nearly
fresh, eggs. Incubators should be clean
ed, thoroughly disinfected, and in every
way made ready for the hatch.
During the incubation period it has
been proven that when artificial methods
are used there is lack of moisture in
the egg chamber of the machine and in
consequence the moisture in the egg
evaporates too rapidly causing high
death rate of germs. This can be over
way to the incubator.
In saving eggs for incubation only
those which are of normal size, we'll
shaped, showing no weakness of shell
such as roughness of various parts of the
shell should be used. 1t is well known
that the fresher the eggs are the better
they will hatch, and as consequence it
IS advisable when possible to set the
eggs often, not allowing them to accumu-
late. If it is necessary to hold them
for sometime they should be kept in a
room which is reasonably cool and dry !,
one that is we'll ventilated and free from
all odors.
Before starting the machine the poul-
tryman should make sure that il is per-
fectly level so that the air viii, circulate
freely, and it is also advisable to te It the
thermometers to see that they are read
ing correctly. The incubator should be
thoroughly cleaned. All dirt such as
pieces of egg shell, droppngs, dust, etc
should be removed and the machines
washed. After this it is we'll to give
them thorough disinfection with some
coal tar solution or formaldehyde. After
the application Of this disinfectant shut
the machine and leave closed for day
or two. At the end of this time start
the lamp so as to thoroughly dry out the
machine. AS soon as this is accomplish
ed and the temperature regulated salts
factorily, the eggs can be started.
For the most part two types of incu-
ators are manufactured; moisture and
non moisture. The fir it named furnishes
some means of supplying moisture such
as sand tray. These trays are usually
placed in the bottom of the machine and
filed with water, which gradually evap-
crates to furnish the necessary moisture
In the egg chamber The other is what
is known as the non-moisture machine
1t is The claim of the manufacturers that
1t is unnecessary to furnish any moisture
whatever in these machines. However,
experiments have shown that it is advis-
able under nearly all conditions to supply
moisture in some form. With US this is
done by sprinkling the eggs. Start as
soon as the eggs al put into the machine
and sprinkle them twice day, at the time
they are turned, with warm water never
use water that is over 103 deg. and it will
do no harm if the water is one or two de-
grees colder than this. In sprinkling
use either an old brush or sprlnkling can.
Wet the eggs down well. Then return
them to the incubator.
This treatment should be continued
until the 18th or 10th day, or as long as
the eggs are turned.