LESSON FOR THE FARM 



Published Semi-monthly by the New York State College of Agriculture at 

 Cornell University, Throughout the Year. Application for Entry as 

 Second-Class Matter at the Post Office at Ithaca, N. Y.. Pending 



L. H. Bailey, Director 

 Course for the Farm, Charles H. Tuck, Supervisor 



vr^T T^r ITHACA, N. Y 



NOVEMBER 15, 191 1 POULTRY series No. i 



INCUBATION.— PART I 



F. T. Finch 



The essentials for successful incubation are: (i) eggs of strong hatch- 

 ing qualities; (2) a good hatching device; (3) correct methods of opera- 

 tion; (4) a favorable environment. The absence of one or more of these 

 factors means a hatch of lower percentage and weakened chickens. 



To secure the desired quality of eggs we must have strong, active breed- 

 ing stock, skillfully housed, yarded, and fed; and the eggs must be prop- 

 erly handled and selected before incubation.* How to secure the other 

 three essentials it is the purpose of this lesson to discuss. 



NATURAL INCUBATION 



In most respects the hen is still superior to the artificial incubator, 

 so far as methods and results are concerned. But there is as much choice 

 in the different breeds of hens for incubation purposes, and in different 

 hens of the same breed, as in the different types of incubators. 



If the natural method of hatching chickens is to be employed, it will 

 be well to choose sitters from the general-purpose breeds (Plymouth 

 Rocks, Wyandottes, Rhode Island Reds, Orpingtons, etc.). The meat- 

 type breeds (Cochins, Brahmas, etc.) are usually faithful but clumsy. 

 The egg type, or so-called nonsitting breeds (Leghorns, Hamburgs, etc.), 

 are too small, usually light, ^and untrustworthy. In selecting the in- 

 dividuals for brooding, it is well to choose the hens that are the least 

 excitable when approached. A nervous hen is likely to break some of the 

 eggs in the nest or to step on the little chicks. 



The success of the incubation depends not only on the hen's ability 

 to hatch fertile eggs, but also on the nesting place and the surrounding 

 conditions. The hen that steals her nest and sits undisturbed usually 

 brings off a good brood of chickens. The conditions existing in a hen- 



*See "The Importance of Constitutional Vigor in the Breeding of Poultry," Bulletin 45, Cornell 

 Reading-Course for Farmers; aho "Building Poultry Houses," Bulletin 274, Cornell University Agri- 

 cultural Experiment Station. 



[1373] 



