The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1918-03-25
INCUBATOR LOSES
MANY EGGS GIVEN
1T FOR MATCHING
Economic Loss Estimated at
About so Per Cent, or
100000 Yearly.
BETTER METHODS OF
SELECTION URGED
Good Equipment is Neces-
sary to Success in Using
Incubator.

LII IOTuld1 SSdSOu, COnQ6cIlCOI
poultrymen incubate about 100000
eggs and hatch only about SO per cent
of them. The economic loss from
eggs that fail to hatch is approx
mately 500 600 each season. By
more careful selection and better
methods of care and management of
the breeding stock, the fertility of the
eggs used for incubation may be i'm
proved greatly. This, together with
more careful incubation, may be the
means of saving many dollars for the
poultrymen, and at the same time, de-
creasing the economic loss to our food
supply.
Good equipment is essential for the
best results in incubation. Trying to
save a few dollars on the purchase of
an incubator is poor economy. The
loss of a single hatch would equal in
value the difference between the pur-
chase price of a good and a cheap
incubator. A good incubator should
have an elastic and accurate heating
| and regulating system, making it easy
/ to maintain exact adjustment under
varied atmospheric and climatic con-
| ditions. 1t should also be well insu-
| lated and durable.
An incubator bay be successfully
| operated in any room where good ven
| tilation, an even temperature and a
| fair degree of humidity can be main
| tanned. A basement or sub basement
having small windows on at least two
sides usually gives good results. The
| Oh ha to- ~
to Withstand sudden changes in tenn
perature. 1t is usually difficult to in
| cubate eggs in an extremely cold
| room. A temperature of from SO to
60 degrees is satisfactory. An incu-
bator should be placed away from
any direct draft, and where it cannot
be reached by the suns rays.
Detailed directions for operating an
incubator are usually supplied by the
manufacturer. His directions are
usually best to follow because his bus
mess success depends on the buyers
| ability to get good results.
An Incubator that has been used
before should be thoroughly washe ed
out with hot water and soap. A 5
per cent. solution of crude carbolic
acid or some of the coal tar products
may be used as a disinfectant. The
burlap under the egg tray should be
either thoroughly washed or replaced
by new. An incubator should be set
perfectly level to get an even temper
ature. If a level is not handy, a
shallow pan of water will do just as
well. The proper temperature for
operating an incubator according to
most authorities, is 102 degrees FIJI,
the first week, increasing to 103 de-
| grees the second and third week. This
| temperature should be maintained on
a level with the top of the eggs. If a
hanging thermometer considerably
above the eggs is used, due allowance
should be made. This difference may
be as much as two degrees if the incu-
bator is operated in a very cold room.
This difficulty usually occurs only dur
| ing the early part of the season Cool
ing eggs during incubation is. COM
| mon custom, but one which requires
considerable time and yields practi-
cally nothing. Cooling simply slows
down the life activity in the egg and
delays the hatch. Cooling may be ad-
visable to Offset an excessive rise in
| ISAAA Pei elId1CJ OuI uHuSI uOTIldI COn-
! ditions, it does no particular good.
After eggs are placed in the incu-
bator, they do not need to be turned
! for As hours. From that time, they
should be turned and the position on
the trays in the incubator changed
twice each day until the eggs begin
to pip.
Eggs should be tested at least once
and better still twice during the incu-
baton period. The first test may be
made from the 9Th to the 7th day,
and the second test on the 18th day
When the eggs begin to pip, it is
well to darken the incubator and keen
it dark until the chicks arke remov-
ed. Darkening the incubator allows
each chick to gets it's much needed
sleep after picking out of the shell
and prevents crowding to the front
1t also prevents the spread of disease
by picking up infected droppings. Ba-
cillary White Diarrhea is often
spread in this manner. The door OF
the incubator should not be opened
until the hatch is over. When the
chicks are dried off, the egg tray
and shells may be removed and the
chicks placed in the chick tray. With
the early matches, it is sometimes ad
visable to keep the chicks on the ege
tray because of the lower tempera
ture in the chick tray below. If tn,
temperature is high, the incubator
door may be left open the width of ;
match and fresh air allowed to en-
ter.
Some more common causes of poo
matches are: Operating an incubato
in a room which is not suitable.
4 Variation in temperature; owe
Il heating or chilling.
Ill Excess or lack of moisture.
The use of incubator eggs is not a
common as it should be. With tn