Evening star., 1914-12-20
Questions and Answers.

my incubator into commission. The
machine, of 250-egg capacity, is said
to be "self-humidifying," that is, in
structions for operating 1t say IL is
not necessary to supply moisture as
incubation proceeds. Last season. how
ever, it seemed to me that the eggs
dried out too much during Incubation.
and the chicks had a great deal OF
trouble in breaking out of the shells.
Would it be safe to supply additional
moisture in this type of machine
heated by lamp-and how should the
moisture be supplied?
Answer-No incubator is really self
humidifying. although several makers
claim that no added moisture is neces-
sary for the successful operation of
their machines. Eggs lose a large per-
centage of their contained moisture
during the process of incubation. and
IN many cases the membrane lining
the shell of the eggs becomes SO dry
shtcks ahd tough, ugh. irS partie%iarly after the
before they have emerged. that many
OF the chicks are unable to break out
and die In the shell. If moisture is
supplied. no matter what the directions
accompanying the machine say, matches
are likely to be much better and to re-
quire much shorter time. Moisture
should not be supple until the seventh
day. of incubation. r om that time on
it should be supplied daily. Morning is
the best time for this. the eggs being
sprinkled at the time they are turned
and cooled. Use water heated to 10
degrees. but no warmer. The water
may be spattered on the eggs bv
means of whisk broom dipped in the
water. or small sprinkling can may
be used. Wet the eggs thoroughly, so
that the surplus water runs of and
through the wire bottoms of the egg
trays. Continue this daily sprinkline
until the eighteenth or nineteenth day
OF incubation. when the incubator is
to be closed and kept closed until the
hatch is complete.
Question-Is it advisable to use cot
tonseed meal in a dry mash mixture
that calls for oil meal? What is the
OBJECT OF the -oil meal in dry mash?
Answer-Cottonseedm meal is not con-
sidered good ingredient of a dry mash
mixture for fowls. The oil meal re-
ferred to is the ground residue of lin
sead or haxseed-the same thing
will find that fiaxseed meal in the dry
mash will bring better results than
you will obtain from the use of oil
meal. The object in feeding this in
ary mash is to overcome the consti-
pating effects of the other ingredi-
ents OF the mash, such as wheat bran,
middlings. alfalfa meal, corn meal, etc
the naxseed meal also has high nu-
tritfve value. aside from its effects in
inducing proper degree of bowel
looseness
Question-Where can l obtain barred
and white Plymouth Rock eggs for in
cubator Matching? l am anxious to
get at least 200 eggs, probably dou-
ouy them from breeder in this To-
cality. I want eggs from high-class
utility breeding stock.
Answer-There are many breeders of
barred and white Rocks in the vicin-
.ity of the District of Columbia. sew
eral Of whom advertise in the poultry
department of The Sunday Star Get
in communication with these men, any
your wants.
question: have been raising chick
ems for several years, and want to en-
large my plant for the coming season;
also wish to change breeds. Have been
raising Anconas, but think heavier
bred, which would make better car
cases both as broilers and as fowls,
would give better general results.
Which,, in your opinion. is the best
Plymouth Rocks. Wyandottes. Rhote
Island Reds or Orpingtons? 1 know
merits of each of these breeds.
.,aLs Answer-There is as yet no such
breed, although there have been de-
veloped first-class general purpose
strains in all of the heavier breeds
This department is not Intended for
q )
the relative merits of breeds of poul-
try. Should the editor say. in answer
to your question. that White Rocks, for
instance. come nearer being the ideal
breeds you mention. every Orpington
fancier, every breeder of Reds, Of
Wyandottes, or of Barred Rocks, would
be after his scalp in the next twenty
best; buy your breeding stock. your
baby chicks or your Matching eggs
from breeder who has a good.
heaithy. vigorous strain Of utility
wrong. But don't ask the editor to ex-
press an opinion as to the merits of
any special breed. He may have his
own preference. but this column is
no place in which to express it.
Question-Is it worth while to enter
a few birds in the winter shows? Will
the possible results balance the ex-
pense. trouble and danger Of loss? Has
the small, obscure fancier any chance
in the shows against the men who
make business of exhibiting?
Answer-If you have birds that are
good enough to go in show, it is
worth while to show them. The pos
sible premiums are small part Of the
benefit to be obtained. If breeder
or fancier is desirous of improving his
flock. the experience to be gained
through careful observation at the
shows is invaluable. II he wishes to
sible returns, the shows will help
nightly. as the advertising to be gain
ed through the exhibition Of a few
high class birds, even though they fan
to win the ribbons. is invaluable Ex-
pense is not great. and the trouble is
more than balanced by the enjoyment
any real poultry fancier gets out Of a
good show. AS to danger of loss. this
element is present all the time-when
the fowls are at home as well as when
they are in the show ROOM AS for your
last question. the small breeder has
just as good a chance as the big fell
low. provided he has the right kind
of birds. And remember, every one of
the big fellows was a small breeder
when he began; none of them started
big.
ouestion-Where can I obtain plans
and specifications for a small poultry
plant. the houses to accommodate about
100 layers? What should such a house
cost to build. and what will the plans
cost?
Answer-Plans for poultry houses of
all sizes may be obtained by writing to
the poultry husbandman, division OF
animal husbandry. Department of Agri- |
culture. Washington. D. c. Prof Roy
H. Waite. Maryland Agricultural Col |
lege. College Park. Md. may also be |
able to furnish such plans. The cost |
of q house for 100 layers will vary ac- |
cording to locality. completeness of |
equipment, etc. At present prices Of |
lumber. however. such a house. properlv |
pre- bly, could not be built /
Lace han Tn 20