Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1914-08-15

o The following is the third Of Z
o series of articles by Harry M. G
o Lamon, Senior Animal Husband 9
. man in Poultry Investigations,
Q Animal Husbandry Division of
o Bureau of Animal Industry of Q
. the United States Department of
o Agriculture, on the natural and 9
. artificial incubation of hens Q
o eggs. O
%~%~%%%%~@% o %~~%%@%% o
HERE are large number Of re-
i liable makes Of incubators manu-
faetured in this country, so that
we can not recommend any particular
machine. Some machines have become
popular in certain sections OF the, coun-
try, because they were advertised ex-
tensiyely in that section rather than on
account Of special adaptability to the
climatic conditions. Cheap machines are
less reliable, require more attention,
and wear out much quicker than higher
priced ineubators. AS the value Of the
machines is small compared with the
value of the eggs used during the nor
NAL life of an incubator, it is poor econ
omy to purchase machine which is not
reliable. Whenever possible IL is well
to select an incubator which is giving
good satisfaction in your vicinity, so
that you may get the benefit Of the
experience of other operators in your
section.
The details of construction and equip
ment of most incubators are 80 sub
5eet to change that il is impossible to
state definitely the best kind of lamps,
brackets, regulators and other equip
meRt for the different incubators The
lamp should have bowl largo enough
to hold sufficient oil to burn at least
SO hours under average weather condi-
tions; it should be easy to remove and
replace, and set absolutely tight in posi-
tion. The incubator should be set 80
that the lamp is at convenient height
and the egg tray convenient to handle.
Number Of Incubators.
The best size Of an incubator to buy
depends upon circumstances It takes
about as much time to care for a 60
as it does for $50 egg machine, so
that it is generally advisable to get
one of at least 150-egg capacity, al
though special conditions often exist
which make smaller machines valuable.
A small machine is often used in con-
nection with larger one, placing all
the eggs in the large machine after the
first or second test. Incubators Of from
300 to 400 egg capacity are generally
used on those large farms which use in
dividual lamp incubators. Many poultry
men believe that it pays to have an in
eubator capacity large enough to hatch
the bulk Of their stock in two or three
patches, SO that much time is saved in
tending to the incubators and brooders,
while the chickens are more even in size
than those that are Matched when the
incubating period extends over a longer
time. A fair estimate for q poultry
farm is an incubator space Of one-egg
capacity per hen, provided that about
one-half Of the flock Is to be renewed
yearly and no outside Matching il car
ried on. The larger machines cost less
In proportion to their capacity than the
smaller ones.
Incubator Cellar or House.
Incubators are operated in . great
variety of places with success. Where
only a few small machines are used
they are generally run in a room or the
cellar of the house. A special cellar or
incubator house should be provided
where the incubator equipment is ex-
tensive or where mammoth machines
arc used. The main essentials are to
have room which is not subject to
great variations in temperature and
which is well ventilated so that the air
il fresh and sweet. If built above
ground the walls should be double and
the entire building well insulated. Good
results in Matching are secured in ineu-
bator cellars and in incubator rooms
which are entirely above the ground
level, but the former place is more COM
monty used. Incubators NAV be omar