Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1919-03-20

can detect at a glance the condition
of each egg. The room should be in
darkness, Of course. therefore evening
is the best time for such work. II the
electric light is not available, an electric
fashlight Of the torch or vest-pocket
type, will answer the purpose.
PRESENCE OF DEAD GERMS
The second test for the presence Of
dead germs Is conducted the same as
the first test for fertility, though the
appearance of the eggs after two weeks
Of incubation is quite different. BY the
14th day the embryo appears to nearly
fill the egg and the air cell in the large
end Of the egg Is quite large, separated
from the embryo by a well-de1ned line.
Then. too, the air cell Is very clear, with
q pinkish tint to 1t, while the embryo
portion IS almost Opaque, except for two
or three light places where blood vessels
are noticed. II the egg Is rotated the
embryo chick will be seen to move very
distinctly.
Dead germs are easily distinguished
from the live eggs. The former lack the
flesh and blood color of the normal eggs:
Oltcu tncy w duuieu, OF COnIdln no air
cell. the membrane having been broken.
Dead germs vary in appearance from a
blood ring or spot to a mass Of dark
liquid. Sometimes the liquid exudes
through the she'll and gives off an I'M
pleasant odor. II the shell Of a dead egg
Is tapped with the finger nail or pencil
1t will sound like striking metal or thin
glass; whereas. the live egg gives off a
dull vyOndop po,,nd DaoA 1uhita ~ alloJ
eggs often take on a greenish hue.
If you are in doubt concerning a par
ticular egg. though the doubtful ones
are seldom found, by all means save It.
and mark it for future reference when
the hatch comes due. But get rid of the
known dead eggs. since they only crowd
the trays and soil the atmosphere Of
the egg chamber.
At the same time the eggs are tested
for fertility or for dead germs, 1t is
a good plan to observe the size Of the
air cell. because this cell indicates the
extent Of evaporation. On the seventh
day of incubation the air cell should
represent about one-seventh Of the con-
tents of the egg; on the 18th day about
one fourth OF the contents of the egg.
From this time on the change in the air
cell is not SO noticeable because the area
of the cell has hen extended to the
large diameter of the egg.
Very small cells indicate excessive
moisture in the egg chamber; very large
cells mean a lack of moisture. and
either extreme should be corrected.
OTHER TIMELY HENYARD HINTS
Create a comfortable home for the
fowls, rather than a mere storage space.
The extra effort will be amply repaid.
The surest way to reduce the freed bill
without reducing the egg basket is to
give more by-products Of grain and less
whole grain. Middlings bran gluten,
cake meal, cottonseed meal, hominy chop,
cornmeal and such like are excellent poul-
try feeds.
A good breeding male hould be large
for his breed. we'll matured and aggres-
sive-usually a fghter-with a full breast,
broad back and legs far apart. The
stunted or immature bird Is out Of the
question. h cowardly bird. which
sinks away at the approach Of another
male. or the bird that becomes unduly
excited. Ia seldom a good breeder. The
desirable male usually crows a great
deal. has w~ell-dsveloped spurs. a comb
that Is thick where 1t joins the head and
ldIec car lOutS anu WdttleS.
Lice. mites n rats are the worst chick
en- thieves.
The habit of visiting the poultry house
after the fowls have gone to roost is a
good one. Listen for wheeling or troub-
led breathing. This is the first Indication
of colds. roup and similar disorders, and
il detected In time may prevent a serious
outbreak.
Mnra phirka 1ia frnpn 49,
from undertaking.
If incubator or brooder lampsAor any
kind OF lamps, in fact-are filled to the
very top. they will overflow when light
ed. This Is caused by expansion. The
oil increases in bulk as it becomes warm:
there Is no room for it In the tank, con-
sequently 1t Is forced out through the
filler cap or around the burner. The null
sance Is not only in the spread of oil on
the outside Of the lamp, but this oil IL
likely to be absorbed by the heater Jack
ct. which will cause the heater to emit
heavy odors and smoke.
The sooner chicks are given access to
the soil, the healthier and happier they
will be. Mother Earth Is a wonder.
A turkey hen will lay from Is to %
eggs before becoming broody. II one
wishes to obtain a second clutch of eggs,
It is not difficult to break the hen of
broodiness, whereupon she will soon start
laying again.
PROTECTION FOR YOUNG STOCK
Chivalry and etiquette seldom exist in
the poultry yard. In farm focks, where
old and young chickens, ducks and prob
ably a few geese. turkeys and g~uineas
are allowed to run together, some pro-
vision should be made for feeding the
young stock without molestation from
the grown birds. Otherwise strong fowls
will bully and prosecute the weaker,
younger poultry until they are half
starved.
A thimbleful of scratch grains is q
very hearty meal for a week-old chick.
| There are about 700 thimblefuls in a
quart.
Moisture on the glass door Of an in
cubator at Matching time Ia the best in
dication Of a large hatch. Don't allow
door, 1t Is needed to soften the egg shells,