The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-01-21
BABY CHICK INDUSTRY GROWS
TO STANDING OF IMPORTANCE
Development of Incubator
Has Made Day-Old Chick
en- Marketable; Business
Is Increasing.
(6H N. L. CHAPMAN,
JUDGE, Breeder and Writer.)

Judge, Breeder and Writer.)
Commercial baby chick Matching is
not a modern industry, in the strict
sense Of the term, though in recent
years it has become very popular and
one Of the foremost branches of poul-
try culture. Commercial hatcheries
were in vogue long before the Chris
tian era. Historians tell us the Egyp-
tians made ii a business to hatch and
supply day-old chicks to farmers, who
often travelled long distances for them.
Baby -chick hatcheries were also very
active in China centuries ago. The
methods of these ancients, however.
were of considerable difference. 1t was
the practice in Egypt to place eggs for
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 to
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 capacities
up to 10000 eggs for a single machine,
commercial baby chick hatcheries were
started in this country. These man.
moth incubators made it possible to
hatch chicks economically, and poul-
trymen We're quick to take advantage
OF them. Today there are farms with
incubators having a capacity of over
100000 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 business. The founda-
ton of the baby chick hatchery must
have been made many years ago. Spe-
cial attention to breeding stock is es-
sential to success. Its care and man
agement is vital from the standpoint
OF profits. because the better the con-
dition of the tlocks, so in proportion
will be the output OF strong, healthy
chicks.
Chick Producers Are Specialists.
Besides being a specialist In incubat-
ing. the successful baby chick produ-
Ger must be a practical poultryman
with thorough knowledge of ali other
branches OF the industry. These spe-
ctalists in incubating have spent years
in the Matching department. They have
made study of the climatic conditions
affecting the proper working of their
incubators in connection with the reg
ulation of moisture and ventilation.
They adjust their incubators until they
will turn out the maximum number OF
chicks. A careful study of the condi-
tons affecting the proper Matching OF
the eggs receives their constant atten
ton. Without perfect eggs, in pefect
condition, it is useless to begin hatch
ing. To hatch strong, healthy chicks
the eggs must be selected for size
shape and condition OF the shell. These
features affect their Matching quail
tics to marked degree. A thorough
method OF gathering and storing the
eggs before incubating is another fea
ture which must be guarded if best
results are to be obtained.
Importance Of Strong Fertility.
Fertility is the greatest factor in Sc
lecting eggs for Matching and the sue
cessful growth Of the baby chick. |,
il owing to this factor that the baby
chick industry has grown into favor
because it is absolutely necessary tt
have eggs of high fertility and strong
terminating power to make the baby.
chick department a paying proposition
Strong, healthy, vigorous breealn,
stock is the only means of securin.
eggs of high fertility, with strong ger
minating properties. And it is upon tn,
quality Of their breeding stock that tn,
reputation of the farm rests. Buyers
of baby chicks have learned to look 70
this quality.
To conserve the health of the flocl
II must be kept under sanitary condi
tons. in houses SO constructed, tina
not only the health of the bird is main
tanned. but the ma Xmum egg yield i
produced. The feed must be stmulat
tng. highly nutritious and of such quail
ity that the strength and health O
the fowl are maintained during tn
season of producing eggs for Matching