Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1922-04-11
AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION
~: DR.. ANDREW Nj SOULE .:z....4s::szsaz:
MANAGEMENT of Incubators

Management of IncubatOrs
Much has been said for and
against the incubator. A large num-
Der of people purchase machines of
this type every year and then pro-
nounce them failures. Is the trouble
due to the inefficiency of the ma
cnine or the operator? OF course,
there are different types of machines
on the market and naturally they
vary in efficiency. There are mum.
Der of excellent makes of incuba-
TORS which can be purchased now,
however, that can be used to ad-
vantage by the farmer if they are
operated with a reasonable degree of
skill and intelligence. Like all 9TH
er machines, the incubator will do
the best it can under the circum-
stances, but it cannot think or act
for itself. If the directions which
accompany these machines are care
tully followed out, however, there is
no reason why anyone cannot han
die one of them with high degree
of success. The fact that hundreds
or students in our poultry husband
~ division here at the State Col
lege of Agriculture learn how to
operate these machines in a COM
paratively short time evidences not
only their utility but their practi-
cability as well.
Some of the facts discovered in
connection with the handling and
care Of incubators as a result of the
investigations made by the students
and teachers associated with the
poultry husbandry division Of the
college make interesting reading,
and on account of the general in
terest in this subject at the pres
ent time attention Is directed to
some Of the more important fac
tors to which special consideration
should be given by all who are in
terested in the subject of artificial
incubation.
A room not too dark, containing
plenty of fresh air and yet free
from drafts will make the most suit
able incubator room. A well Venti-
lated cellar makes the best room.
Where room with board floor is
used, care should be taken to place
over stills where floor will not shake
as much. The machine should be
leveled before being operated. This
may be done by use of spirit level
or with a pan of water. Mark shall
AOW pail OIIC 1IlCll vi oily uColl GU VIC
lance from pan bottom or top. Fill
with water to mark. Place upon ma
chine and level machine until water
Is even with mark all the way
around.
If machine is second handed or
has been used the year before and
In case it has contained diseased
chicks, it should be disinfected with
five per cent solution of some good
disinfecting solution. Air thorough
ly before placing eggs in machine.
Place eggs in tray and allow to
stand from twelve to twentyfour
hours, then turn and place in ma
chine. Regulate according to direc-
tions with machine and be certain
temperature Is correct before re-
placing tray with eggs. Eggs should
not be turned for "a hours.
After first "a hours, turn twice
daily, morning and night until eggs
start to pip. Fill lamps each after
noon after eggs have been turned.
Be sure hands are clean before
turning eggs. Clean wick each day
by scraping with match or nail. In
exceptionally hot weather, eggs may
be cooled at night. Cool until the
small end feels the same tempera-
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difference between night and day
temperature in Georgia, the lamp
should be turned up at night and
down in the day time.
AS eggs start to pip, close doors
and leave closed until hatch is about
over. If machine has a nursery un-
derneath the egg tray, do not allow
chicks to drop down until well dried
off, or they will become chilled. If
machine has glass front, hang bur.
lap or paper over until hatch is we'll
over. This will keep the machine
dark, thus allowing chicks to sleep
and rest. After hatch is well over
remove egg tray containing egg
shells and poor eggs. A chick that
10 not strong enough to get out Of
the shell should be left in, it will
never amount to much. Leave
chicks in machine for twenty-four
to forty-eight hours after hatch be-
fore moving to brooder.
Eggs should be candled on seventh
and twelfth to eighteenth days. Eggs
removed on first test should be
boiled and fed to chicks. Eggs re.
moved on second test should be
burned and buried. AS soon as chicks
are removed, machine should be
thoroughly cleaned and made ready
for the new hatch.
The temperature will rise at hatch
ing time. This is generally a sign
of a large hatch and regulator
should not be adjusted unless tenn
perature runs over 105 degrees.
Lamp should be turned down some
what, however.
In case weather and the surround
ings are dry, moisture should be
supplied. Same may be done by
placing pail of water beneath incu-
bator Of lamp by sprinkling eggs
with warm water or by sprinkling
inside floor Of machine with warm
water.
The incubator can be operated
any time Of the year while with the
hen we must wait until she becomes
broody. Hens seldom want to set
early in the spring when incuba.
ton is most necessary. Larger
numbers can be Matched in given