Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1920-01-23
PROPER HANDLING OF EGGS
ESSENTIAL TO A GOOD HATCH

Figs can not be expected from
thistles and neither can full
hatch of strong chicks be expected
from poorly-selected, carelessly-
handled Matching eggs. The hens
may be faithful sitters or the in
cubator, If one is used, be on it's
best behavior, but the best of in
cubation can not overcome the
handicap Of poor eggs. Many a
person who gives the chicks the
best of care as soon as they are
out of the shell, bestows on the
eggs he is saving for Matching
only the most cursory attention
and then when only a few birds
hatch out is surprised and grieved
at his poor luck. Luck, those who
know say, doesn't enter into sue
cessfuI poultry raising. 1t is eter-
nal care and vigilance on the part
Of the owner of the flock that
spells success or failure.
Breeding Stock Need Varied Diet
Strong, fertile eggs are the
prime essential in good Matching.
These can only be obtained from
stock properly mated and kept I'M
der the hest possible conditions to
secure health and vigor. Eggs from
over-fat breeding stock do not US
ually produce a large percentage Of
strong chicks. If breeders are con-
fined they should be fed a varied
supply of grains, meat, and green
feed, say the poultry specialists in
agriculture. The green feed as
sists in keeping the fowls in good
usually an important factor also in
the production of hatchable eggs.
From to IL females of the
American, or generaI-purpose class,
and IL to Is Of the Mediterranean
class can be mated with one male,
depending on his age and vitality.
Abundant ventilation in the house
is a great help in keeping the
stock in good breeding condition.
Abnormal, small, and poorly
shaped eggs should be discarded. Do
not set eggs which have thin or
very porous appearing shells. Eggs
should be set when fresh, If pos
sibIe, and it is not advisable to
use eggs for Matching which are
over two weeks old, although stale
eggs will frequently hatch. Select
ing uniformly large eggs for hatch
ing, which are Of the same color,
is one of the quickest ways to Sc
cure uniformity in the offspring
and increase the size of the eggs.
Dirty eggs should be cleaned by
rubbing lightly with a damp cloth,
but care should be taken not to
rub off any more Of the natural
bloom Of the egg than is absolutely
necessary. Broken eggs in the nest
may coat the rest with albumen. If
this is not washed off the hatch
ing qualities will be impaired.
Do Not Allow Eggs to Chill
Eggs for Matching should be col
lected two Or three times a day in
freezing weather to prevent chill
ing Broody hens allowed to sit on
eggs in the laying nests all day
may hurt the Matching qualities Of
the eggs.
Eggs IN large numbers are gen.
orally kept in a cabinet or turn
ing rack, for convenience in ham
ding, in a room where the tenn
perature is between 80 and so de-
grees F., if possible, although they
will stand considerable variation. 1t
is not necessary to turn eggs kept
only for a few days, but it is ad-
visable to turn eggs daily which are
to be kept over a week. Various
commercial turning devices are
sold by poultry supply companies,
or the eggs may be kept in cabi-
net drawers and shuffled about
with the hands by removing a few
eggs from the trays. Commercial