, 1954-05-11
Virgin Islands Agricultural Program News
Courtesy Il the Agricultural Experiment Station

@# @ courtesy u We
SELECTING MATCHING EGG 's@'
The reproduction. of the poultry flock is a phase of poultry
raising engaged in each year by the operator In order to be
sure of success in incubation, that is, Matching, eggs that are
to be used for Matching purposes should be5carefully selected
Here in the Virgin Islands incubation is carried on among
poultry flock raisers almost entirely by means OF the hen.
Those of us who are interested in maintaining afamlly flock
should acquaint ourselves with this subject.
Very often we put our hens to sit as many as ten to twelve
eggs, and likewise very often only about tWothirds or less
of the eggs hatch. When this occurs we conclude that the hen
is a poor sitter, but if we took time to open and examine the
unmatched eggs we might find that they were not good in
the first place. Where, then, does the fault lie? To increase
the chances for obtaining the largest possible number of
live chicks in proportion to the number of eggs set, here are
some pointers which the poultry raiser should know:
Fertile eggs Of good quality are necessary for good matches.
The kind of eggs set determine to a great extent, not only
the number Matched but also the quality Of the chicks. To
insure fertility of eggs it is advisable to mate the breeding
stock about 8 to 10 days before starting to save eggs for
Matching.
In order to check on the fertility Of eggs to be used for
Matching, break out a few ~newly-laid eggs and examine the
germespot. This germ spot, from which the chick embryo
develops, is on one side of the yolk usually located in the
center. If the egg is fertile this. spot will appear circular in
shape and somewhat transparent. In an infertile egg, that is,
an egg that will not hatch, the germ spot is less regular in
shape and appears much smaller. Also, in the: infertile egg
the protoplasm in the germ spot has the tendency to accumu-
late in a dense white mass which usually contains small holes.
As a general rule, when selecting eggs for Matching, choose
those that are Of average size, normal in shape, of good shell
Itextuse and free from blood spots or loose air sacs. Very
large or very small eggs are more likely to be infertile than
eggs of average size. The average size egg weighs about 2
or slightly over 2 ounces.
Select eggs for Matching that are less than seven days
old and that have been kept in a cool place. After seven days
chicken eggs lose their Matching power rapidly
When eggs are less than seven days old, it is not neces-
sary to turn them, but after this period of time they should
be turned daily. The easiest way to save eggs for Matching
purpose is to keep them in a wire basket or in egg cases. In
either case, place the egg with the blunt or rounded end up.
Temperature for storing Matching eggs is an important factor
if fertility is to be maintained. The germ is weakened when
the egg is subjected to periods Of prolonged low or high tenn
.peratures. During hot weather the most favorable tempera-1
Iture at which to hold eggs for Matching is around so degrees
If these points are considered when selecting eggs
for Matching, the poultry raiser should be able to reduce the