The Republican journal., 1917-04-12
SPRING POULTRY WORK.
Pullets for Egg Laying Next Fall and VIM
ter Should be Hatched Early-How to
Use an Incubator.

Pullets for Egg Laying Next Fall and Win
ter Should be Hatched Early-How to
Use an Incubator.
The poultry raiser on farm or in CITY
who wishes to produce fall and winter
eggs with a by-product of spring FRY
ers" should begin now to plan for the
early setting of eggs. say poultry spe-
cialists of the United States Depart ment
of Agriculture. In the States of the ex-
treme South settings should be made
from the first to the middle of February:
in the central group of States, from the
early part to the last of February: and
in the northern tier Of States, from the
latter part of February to the early part
of April. With settings timed on this
schedule the chicks will hatch in ample
time TO allow their maturity before cold
weather. The pullets from these broods
should lay during the late fall or early
winter when eggs are scarcest.
The setting schedule outlined also will
permit the development of early spring
"fryers." The young chicks will be de-
veloped to the point where they may be
turned out on the ground by the time
v-get atlon is out, and so may augment
their feed with green stuff. The small
er breeds of chickens can be Matched
later than those which are larger and
slower to develop.
Incubation.
One difficulty in setting eggs in spring
at selected dates if the natural system of
incubation is followed is in finding broody
hens at the proper times. If natural in
cubation is depended upon exclusively it
probably will be best for the poultry
raiser to disregard dates and make set
tings whenever broody hens are avail
able. A good nest for setting is made
of wood. Is inches square and about Is
inches high, with top. The front is
open except for board 6 inches high.
Three or four inches of damp earth
should be placed in such nest and on
this straw, hay, or chaff should be firm
ly packed. The hens should be busted
thoroughly with insect powder. 1t is a
good plan, also, to sprinkle little of the
powder in the nests.
Using an Incubator.
The suggested schedule can be follow.
ed exactly if an incubator is used. The
machine should be operated in warn
room, preferably cellar, as protection
against outside temperature changes. L
should be disinfected thoroughly before
being used, with solution of a reliable
coal-tar disinfectant. Instead of using
such solution a small receptacle con
tanning one-half ounce of permanganate
of potash en- which onf half ounce Of
formalin has been poured may be shu
up in the incubator. The resulting gas
will thoroughly disinfect the machine
After dlsinfectlon the incubator shoule
be run empty for several days to get il
into good operating condition. After the
eggs are in place the temperature SHOULD
be held at from 101 1-2o to 1929 F. the
first week, 1929 to 1899 the secont
week, and at 1O3 80 the third week.
The eggs usually are turned for the
first time at the end of the second day
and twice daily through the eighteenth
or nineteenth day. The eggs are cooled
outside the Matching chamber once daily
after the seventh and up to the nine
teenth day. Moisture should be furnish
ed in artificial incubation in the South, ir
high attitudes, and when the incubator
room is dry. This may be done by sprink
ling the eggs with warm water or by
placing wet sponge or pan of w tel
under the egg tray.
During the Matching period CAREFUL!
fill the lamp and trim the wick each day
1t is best to trim the wick by scrapinl
off the burnt portion rather than by cut
ting the wick. The lamp should not b.
filled entirely. After the lamp is filled
it should be closely observed for tim,
to make sure that the flame does not pc
too high.