South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-01-21
An Application of the Great
Principle of Specialization
Boon to Amateurs and
Small Growers Who Want
the Benefit of High Grade
Equipment.
BY VI. l.. Chapman.
JuoZe. Breeder and Writer.

popular, and one OF the foremost
branches Of poultry culture. Com
merciaI hatcheries were in vogue
long before the Christian era. His
tOrisns tell us the Egyptians made
II a business 10 hatch and supply
day-old chicks 10 farmers. who often
Travelled long distances for them.
Baby chick hatcheries were also
very active in China centuries ago.
The methods of these ancients. now
ever We're OF considerable difference.
IL was the practice in Egypt 10 place
eggs for Matching on the floor OF a
cave-Iike building, and supply the
heat from an adjoining room. In
China the eggs were placed in large
baskets or jars. carefully covered,
and then set aside 10 receive the
action OF the heat Of the sun.
A few years ago. shortly after the
perfection Of mammoth incubatOrs
heated by hot water. with capaci-
ties up 10 20 600 eggs for a single
machine. commercial baby-chick
hatcheries were started in this coun-
try. These mammoth incubatOrs
made il possible TO hatch chicks
economically. and pOultrymen were
quick to take advantage of them.
Toda.- there are farms with incuba-
tors having a capacity of over 300,
600 eggs.
The baby-chick hatchery has now
become a standard department in
the poultry industry and farms
which are making regulations for
their output are putting their best
efforts into this branch OF the bust
ness. The foundation of the baby
chick hatchery must have been
made many years ago. Special at
tention 10 breeding stock is essen
tiaI TO success. Its care and man
agement is vital from the stand
point of profits. because the better
the condition OF the focks. so in
proportion will be the output OF
strong, healthy chicks.
Chick Producers Are Specialists.
Besides being a specialist in in
cubating. the successful baby chick
producer must be a practical pOul-
tryman with thorough knowledge Of
all other branches OF the industry.
These specialists i'm incubating have
spent years in the Matching depart
ment They have made a study of
the climatic conditions affecting the
proper working OF their incubators
i'm connection with the regulation Of
moisture and ventilation. They ad-
just their incubators until they will
turn out the maximum number of
chicks careful study OF the
Matching of the eggs receives their
constant attention. Without per-
feet eggs. in perfect condition, il is
useless to begin Matching, To hatch
strong healthy chicks the eggs
must be selected for size, shape and
condition of the shell. These fea-
lures affect their Matching qualities
TO a marked degree A thorough
method OF gathering and storing the
eggs before incubating IS another
feature which mast be guarded il
best results are % he obtained.
Importance of Stroug Fertility.
Fertility is the greatest factor i'm
selecting eggs for Matching and the
successful growth of the baby chick.
no rs owing TO this factor that the
baby-chick industry has grown i'm
To favor. because II is absolutely
necessary TO have eggs of high fer
tlity and strong terminating power
Go make the Gaby-chick department
O. paying proposition
Strong. healthy vigorous breed
ing stock is the only means of Sc
curing eggs OF high fertility with
strong terminating properties. And
10 is upon the quality of their breed
ing stock that the reputation of the
farm rests Buyers of baby chicks
have learned 90 look for this quality
To conserve the health OF the
flock II must be kept under saui-
tary conditions i'm houses so con
structed. that not only the health OF
the bird is maintained bat the maxi
mum egg yield is produced. The
feed must be stimulating highly
nutritious and OF such quality that
the strength and health OF the fowl
are maintained during the season of
producing eggs for Matching Thus il
viii be seen the producer OF baby
chicks must be a poultrymau pos
sessed of an intimate working
knowledge OF all branches OF the i'm
dustry
Because OF rigid requirements
OF the suc5cs.-ll bahy-chick pro-
Queer this branch Of the industry
IS bound 10 grow larger each year
IL viii receive tie small poultry
man OF the necessity of maintain
ing Matching department with its
losses and disappo:EUments. II gives
the amateur the result OF the stock
equipment and experience OF the
expert. and places him IN a position
to secure any number Of chicks. Of
any variety at almost any season OF
the year. and al a nominal cost
There advantages must be recog-
nized At the present writing there
are farms which previously kept a
breeding flock and produced their
own chicks. which are now replen-
ishing their laying flock with baby
chicks from the commercial hatch
cries
Q'heT farms have closed cut their
stock and have devoted their entire
equipment 20 raising pullets and