Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1915-05-04
Incubation.


Eric N. Boland, Instructor In Animal Industry,
at Farmers Week.)
Incubation is one of the most impor-
tant considerations for the poultry breed
or. The first point to be considered is
the condition Of the eggs. 1t is far too
common practice to blame the incubator
or hen for poor matches when the real
cause of the trouble is with the eggs.
The fresher the eggs, the better the
chance for its producing a strong,
healthy chick. Eggs should not be held
more than two weeks. While they are
stored for incubation, they should be
kept in a well ventilated room at about
the temperature of so to go degrees
Fahrenheit. Ii is also advisable to
change the position of the eggs daily;
that is, simply turn them while they are
being kept for incubating. All mis-
shapen, diversified or understood eggs or
those which show blood spots, or blood
rings, should not be set. IL is less ex-
pensive In some cases to hatch naturally
than artificially. However, IL one plans
to hatch many eggs, it will be econom-
ical in the long run to use artificial
methods although the natural method is
more efficient. II one is to use the natu-
raj method, it is best to select hen
from one of the general purpose breeds
Of medium size, quiet, and in good
health. A comfortable nest for her in
some secluded place where she will not
be disturbed. No hen should be set un-
less she shows the broody character to
marked degree; that is, q hen that has
set on nest two or three nights and
shows all the indications of being broody.
Before the eggs are set, the hen should
be thoroughly busted with lice powder
and arrangements make 80 that she can
obtain feed and water without leaving
the nest for long period.
Where artificial incubation is to be
practiced, the incubator should be
thoroughly cleaned and disinfected be-
fore the eggs are placed in 1t. Any stand
ard make, we'll built machine that is In
good condition will give satisfactory re-
suits il the directions are carefully fol-
owed and the eggs are strongly fertilized.
1t is we'll to have the machine running
at a constant temperature OF 103 degrees
Fahrenheit before the eggs are placed in
it. This temperature of 103 degrees
must be maintained throughout the in
cubating period. The eggs are placed
in the machine and not disturbed until
the third day. From the third day the
eggs are turned twice daily until the
time when the chicks are beginning to
pip, which will usually be the latter part
of the 10th or the first of the goth day.
Eggs are tested on the seventh and
fourteenth day by the use of candle or
some lighting device. On the seventh
day the infertile eggs are taken out as
well as the dead embryos. 1t is best to
take out those eggs which appear doubt.
full, as, if they are dead, the gases given
off by the decomposition Of the embryo
may injure the remaining eggs. It is
sometimes more convenient to have two
small incubators than one large one as
after the first test it may be possible to
place all the eggs In one machine and
start the smaller ones over again. Under
our conditions it is necessary to apply
moisture although il machine is set in
a medium moist room that is easily kept
at constant temperature OF from 90 to 10
degrees, the amount of moisture to be
added is not great. Moisture can be best
added either by placing water in pans
under the machine or by sprinkling the
floor or walls of the room. In some
cases, sprinkling the eggs from the first
day until the nineteenth with water at
tenn perature of 100 degrees, has given
satisfaction. After the 18th day, the
heat may rise, due to the heat that is
produced within the egg, but it should
not be allowed to 90 over 10S degrees.
1t is best to turn the wick down If the
temperature is too high. The directions
for setting up the machine, placing the
thermometer and actual operation of the
machine are sent out from the factory
and should be followed to the letter as
the manufacturers have made study OF
their incubators and know how they
should be operated for the best results.