Evening star., 1919-03-09
Ten years ago Prof. Graham,

Ten years ago Prof. Graham. in
charge of poultry Investigations at
the University of Ontario, Quebec.
Canada. made thorough and exhaust
i've comparative tests with incubators
and hens. to discover if possible any
difference in vigor and vitality that
might exist between the chicks
Matched by the artificial and those
hatched by natural methods
The experiments clearly showed
that greater percentage of the eggs
set were hatched by the hen and a
greater percentage of chicks Matched
in this way were raised to maturity
1t was further found, upon making
chemical examination, that the
bodies of the chicks Matched in the
natural way contained more of the
phorous and lime, which are so nee
essary for the proper development of
the bony framework, and it is safe
to assume that lack of bone develop
ment bears a close relationship to
lack of vitality; and a constant and
cubation over a long period of years
would undoubtedly result in a serious
deterioration of the flock.
In order to maintain indefinitely the
highest standard of perfection in our
poultry; in order to have always the
most vigorous fowls in our flock, all
chicks intended for breeding pur-
poses should be hatched under hens,
and it would be better to use eggs
/ from hens raised from hen-hatched
chicks. This does not preclude the
use of incubators for Matching chicks
intended for egg production only, nor
even of an occasional Matching of
chicks for future breeders, provided
the eggs used are not from strain
of fowls which have for several gen.
erations been Matched in incubators
When selecting eggs for incubation,
either natural or artificial, remember
that from the large egg comes the
large chicken, and from the small egg
the small chicken; in other words. the
size of the chick Matched is in direct
proportion to the size of the egg, and
this also has it's influence upon the
rate Of growth.
The tendency to lay large or small
eggs and to lay irregular shaped eggs
is an inheritable characteristic. that
transmitted from parents to offspring
from one generation to the other; and
the same principle applies to the color
Of egg shell. A pullet Matched from
a large egg, If not too large. will in
all probability lay a large egg, es-
pecially if the hen that laid the egg
was also hatched from large egg.
and in the same way hens Matched
from irregular1y shaped eggs and
from eggs with certain colored shells
are very apt to lay eggs Of like for
nation and with shells of similar
color. Therefore If we wish to grow
large, vigorous fowls, producers Of
we'll shaped marketable and hatch
able eggs Of any desired color. then
all eggs for Matching should be Sc
Iected with that end in view.
Dirty eggs should never be used,
neither should the shells be washed
The dirt clogs the pores in the shell
and prevents the entrance of fresh air
into the egg and also prevents the re-
quired normal evaporation of the
water content of the egg. while the
washing rubs off the natural bloom or
coating of the she'll which. according
to the results Of authentic expert
ments, reduces the Matching power of
eggs thus treated at least IL per cent
If eggs are broken in the nest dur
ing incubation, all foreign material
must be wiped from the shells with a
damp cloth as soon as possible, other
wise the growing chick would die from
lack of fresh air containing the oxy-
the growth of the embryo. and at this
time the nesting material if wet
should be changed.
The age of the egg and the condi-
tions under which it is kept have an
important bearing upon it's Matching