Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-06-03

thought will produce the correct units
for the hens, after the infertile eggs
and dead germs have been removed.
Each unit, of course, should be mark
ed to distinguish it from the others.
This practice offers an advantage to
the poultryman having a small flock,
inasmuch as he can incubate a large
number of eggs, starting them when
they are fresh, without holding them
until he has enough to fill up the ma
chine.
Still another advantage of this meth
cd: 1t is conceded that the greatest
losses in artificial incubation are at
tributed to chicks which are almost
fully developed dying in the shell. The
correct amount of moisture, evapor-
alton and ventilation are all essential
to successful incubation, and they are
all very closely allied. A circulation
of fresh air is necessary or the embryo
would be without sufficient oxygen. On
the other hand, excessive ventilation
/ VIII cause undue evaporation, unless
the moisture is restored in some way.
These elements are important at the
beginning of hatch, but they seem to
take care of themselves more or less
automatically for the first week or ten
days; in the last week, and specially
the last few days, they should receive
very careful attention.
In the natural process of incubation
the hens body provides the correct
conditions. Air circulation about the
/ eggs through the hens feathers yet
| the heat from her body throws off suf-
ficient moisture to prevent excessive
evaporation. Moreover, this moisture
| is charged wit hcarbon dioXide, which
causes the shell of the egg to disinte-
crate. Oxygen is needed in abund-
ance, but the value of carbonic acid
must not be overlooked. When chicks
| fully formed are found dead in the
shell, it is pretty safe to assume they
were unable to break through because
the shell had not been sufficiently dis
Iintegrated, and in consequence they
died from exhaustion. Thus, it will
be seen, a combination of the virtues
of artificial and natural incubation is
worthy of ones consideration.
Centralize the Sitting Hens
1t is customary to set hens in out of
the way corners, sometimes in the hen
house, or in boxes or barrels scattered
about the outbuildings and barnyard,
paying little heed to the hens idea in
the matter, or to the safety of her
brood. This practice is wrong for
many reasons. The sitting hen is en-
titled to just as much consideration
as the brood mare or COW. and 1t is
the only way to obtain the full benefit
of her efficiency.
1t Is a mistake to set hens in the
regular poultry house, for they are
certain to be annoyed by the other
layers. The laying mems regard sitters
with contempt; they will lay in the
sitting hens nest, fight and crowd her
eggs and seriously -ndangering the
safety of the hatch. Moreover, the
nests in the poultry house are very apt
10 be troubled with vermin, than which
nothing is a greater handicap to a
young brood of chicks. The sitting
hen should be thoroughly busted with
a lice expelling powder and given a
clean, fresh nest to herself.
Remote corners in the barn and un-
der sheds are unsuitable for the sitting
hen. Such places frequently abound
! in rats, which are a constant menace
and they are apt to be visited by an
/ iinquisitive cat or dog. Then, too, in
having the nests scattered in this way,
the hens are troublesome to feed and
water; they may be overlooked and
neglected, in which case they will neg
| lect their nests. Furthermore, when
the hatch comes off the hen and her
brood will have to be removed to an
outdoor coop, and this changing her
quarters is seldom accomplished with
out difficulties
Under natural conditions the hen
builds her nest on the ground where
the moisture from the soil will assist
/ in Matching; she selects secluded
spot, protected from storms and other
annoyances, when she can go to and
fro for exercise, feed and water with
out fear of having her nest molested.
The poultry raiser will do well to tmi-
tate these conditions, not alone for the
comfort and security of the fowls, but
for the convenience or the attendant as
well.
A special coop for the accommoda-
ton of the sitting hens may be built
at every little expense rtrouble. 1t
need be but a shed-like structure, "a
inches high in front, 36 inches deep
and about feet long. The interior Is
divided into five nests or pens, the par
titions running the narrow way of the
coop, and having a small door at the
front of each pen. No bottom is re-
quired to the coop. unless desired, for
| 1t may rest on a well-drained spot OF
ground and the nests built upon the
earth. The rear of the pen is the
may be used for placing feed and
water before the hen. The roof Of
the coop should be hinged, which will
greatly facilitate the attendants work.
a wirecovered run, about 10 feet long,
and divided into five narrow yards the
same width as the nests, is made in a
separate section from the coop. These
are for use when the broods are newly
Matched, when they Should be confined
more or less, after which the yard may
be removed and the hens given greater
freedom.
A coop of this kind may be built
from odds and ends of lumber about
the place or from packing box mate