Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1916-03-19
timely Advice the Agrcuturist and Amateur Gardener
ELEAlENTAR PRINCIPLES FOR
THE OPERATION OF AN INCUBATOR

and chemical effects are being studied
with sitting hens in order to learn
the best methods of running an In
cubator. From practical experience
In the handling OF sitting hens tho
scientific poultryman Ia learning more
about artificial incubation every sea-
son. The time to apply moisture ana
abr to the eggs is now known to have
an important effect on the results OF
the hatch. While oxygen is needed
abundantly during the later stages Of
artificial Matching. the value of car
bon dloXide must also not be over
looked during the whole period.
In an incubator the heat OF COM
bustion produces moisture ana car
bon dioxide. AS in the case of sitting
hens, both of these factors are Valu-
able and necessary in artificial incu-
batlon. when this gas comes in con-
tact with moisture It forms carbonic
acid. The effect OF CarboniC acid Is
to disintograte the egg shell. When
that takes place as under natural
conditions the chick can break
through the shell more readily. When
chicks fully formed are found dead
in the shell II may be safely conclud-
ed they have died from exhaustion.
They were unable to break the shell
because II had not been sufficiently
dlsintegrated. The value of moisture
and gas and air for successful incu-
baton is now quite generally rccog-
niZed
These are the conditions which the
poultryman who uses an incubator
must strive to initiate closely. If
they are followed carefully, and If the
eggs are laid by vigorous stock. the
results of artificial incubation may
compare favorably with those from
natural hatchlng In the number OF
chicks Matched and in their vitality.
These are the results which we are
striving TO attain.
No poultrykeopcr runs an incubator
for fun. when the value of the eggs
and the poultryman's time are con-
sidered 1t Is n matter OF dollars and
cents whether an incubator is run
right or wrong. The conditions al
ways to be borne in mind are heat,
moisture and air. The proper control
Of these factors will spell success in
any kind Of well-made incubator The
aim Of the operator is to learn how
these factors may be best controlled.
Handling the Eggs.
The first thing is TO run the incu-
bator for "a hours to see that the
heat regulator Is all right If no
trouble arises from this source. the
temperature In the incubator should
be raised to 102 or 102 y degrees be-
fore the eggs are put in. The incu-
bator should be run at this tempera-
ture for a week. then for the second
week at 103 degrees 1t il always
advisable to follow tho instructions
which should accompany every incu-
bator sold until the principles are
learned by practice. These rules are
usually the result of experience by
men who have devoted much time tc
this work. A good rule should read
about like this:
First raise the temperature to 102 u
degrees before putting in the eggs
Then keep II uniformly at 103 de
grees until the eggs begin to pip. /
the temperature should then run VI
to 1O4 or even 105 degrees II Will d,
no harm to the Matching eggs or tC
the chicks already out of their shells
During the first two weeks the egg!
should be aired and turned once &
day. Fifteen or twenty minutes ol
airing at time will be sufficient. To
turn the eggs easily remove two from
each row on one side OF the tray anC
gently roll the others along, placing
| tho two eggs removed on the othel
end OF the row. Avoid jarring the
eggs or handling them roughly. They
should be turned as gently as n her
would turn them. Tho developing
membranes are very delicate and
easily ruptured at the early stages OF
incubation. II a rupture occurs the
germ dies and development OF the
| embryo ceases. For this reason incu-
batting eggs should not be handled
more often than is absolutely neces'
sary.
It is a good practice to test out the
infertile eggs. This should be done